RI Shuttler Mayla Cahya Pratiwi Treats Asian Junior Loss as WJC Lesson

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s young shuttler Mayla Cahya Afilian Pratiwi is treating her performance at the 2026 Asian Junior Championships as an important evaluation ahead of the World Junior Championships (WJC).

Her campaign ended in the quarterfinals after losing to China’s Yi Qing Yin 17‑21, 10‑21 at the Yatsushiro City General Gymnasium in Kumamoto, Japan, on Friday, July 3, 2026.

Mayla admitted her performance was inconsistent across the two games. “The first game was quite okay, but in the second I wasted too many shots and made unforced errors,” she said in a PBSI statement after the match, as quoted by Antara.

In the opening game, Mayla managed to keep pace with Yi and maintain a close scoreline. However, after dropping the first set, she struggled to withstand the pressure and lost momentum in the second.

She acknowledged Yi’s sharp attacking quality and speed at the net as decisive factors. “My opponent had powerful smashes and very quick shots at the front court,” Mayla explained.

Despite the defeat, Mayla views the experience as valuable preparation for future tournaments. Facing strong opponents, she said, provides lessons to refine her game and strengthen her mindset.

Her focus now shifts to the World Junior Championships in Cairo, Egypt, scheduled for October 2026. “For WJC, I want to improve my focus and strengthen my mindset,” Mayla concluded, underlining her determination to bounce back stronger. ***