Sabar/Reza Advance Despite Reza’s Injury at Japan Open

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s men’s doubles pair Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani demonstrated grit and adaptability to reach the second round of the Japan Open 2026, despite Reza battling a recurring back injury.

The duo overcame Taiwan’s Chiu Hsiang Chieh/Wang Chi‑Lin in a hard‑fought three‑game contest, 21–18, 17–21, 21–16, in Tokyo on Wednesday, July 15, 2026.

“Alhamdulillah (All Praises to Allah), we are grateful to win today. My condition is not ideal, the back injury flared up again after last year,” Reza said in a statement released by the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI), as quoted by Antara.

The injury forced Reza to skip a week of training before traveling to Japan, limiting him to light practice sessions ahead of the tournament.

“I didn’t train for a week in Jakarta and only did light practice here. It would be a pity to withdraw after all the preparation, so I tried to play, forcing myself but making sure not to worsen the injury,” he explained.

With Reza not fully fit, Sabar stepped up to shoulder more responsibility, controlling rallies and limiting returns that could trouble his partner.

“Credit to Reza for fighting hard despite not being 100 percent fit. I focused on scoring points and making sure the opponent’s returns didn’t put him under pressure. That worked well in the first and third games,” Sabar said.

The strategy proved decisive as the Indonesians regained control in the decider to secure victory. Reza noted his condition will be reassessed before the next match. “We’ll see tomorrow because I’m not 100 fit. We’ll just try to focus on ourselves,” he added.

Their resilience highlights not only tactical adjustment but also the determination to keep Indonesia’s challenge alive in Tokyo, even under physical strain. ***