Indonesia's Alvin Jefferson Wins U-17 Title at Jaya Raya Junior GP

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia's next generation of badminton talent received another boost after Alvin Jefferson Kusuma claimed the U-17 boys' singles title by defeating Japan's Taisei Kushima in the final of the Yonex-Sunrise Jaya Raya Junior International Grand Prix 2026 on Sunday, July 12, 2026.

Alvin secured the championship with a hard-fought 24-22, 22-20 victory over Kushima, overcoming strong resistance from the Japanese player in both games.

The Indonesian said he was delighted to win the title after moving up to a higher age category and hopes to defend his success in future editions.

"I'm happy to become champion again after moving up an age group. I hope I can win again next year," Alvin said after the match on Sunday, July 12, as quoted on Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) official website.

He described the opening game as an intense battle, saying Kushima's determination forced him to stay composed despite holding a comfortable lead. "In the first game, my opponent had a very strong fighting spirit and kept pushing," he said.

"I didn't want to lose after leading by a big margin, so I just tried to calm myself," he added.

Alvin staged an impressive comeback in the second game after trailing 17-20 before winning five consecutive points to seal the title. "In the second game, I played without pressure because I was already behind 17-20. Thankfully, I managed to catch up and win," he added.

He said Kushima's strengths were his power and consistency but noted that varying high shots disrupted the Japanese player's rhythm. "My opponent was strong and very consistent, but he became a little unsettled when I mixed up my high shots," he continued.

Alvin thanked his parents, family, coaches, and teammates for their unwavering support throughout the tournament. Looking ahead, he said his goal this year is to compete in Indonesia's national championships and earn a place in the national team selection. ***