Indonesia's Ubed Gains Valuable Lessons Despite Japan Open 2026 Exit

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s young shuttler Moh Zaki Ubaidillah may have bowed out of Japan Open 2026, but his round of 16 defeat to Denmark’s Anders Antonsen offered important lessons for his development on the international stage.

The 19‑year‑old, known as Ubed, fell 12‑21, 19‑21 in Tokyo on Thursday, July 16, 2026, yet walked away with insights into the precision and discipline required at the elite level.

Ubed admitted he struggled to match Antonsen’s tempo in the opening game, conceding points through unforced errors. He later adjusted in the second game, pushing the third seed closer before being undone by Antonsen’s sharp anticipation at the net.

“Today, with his experience, Antonsen knew exactly how to play. I learned a lot from how neat he was and how he avoided easy mistakes,” Ubed said in a statement released by the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI), as quoted by Antara.

Despite the loss, Ubed expressed gratitude for the opportunity to debut at a BWF Super 750 event, noting that advancing past the first round was already a positive step.

“I was happy to win in the opening round, but of course I’m not satisfied with the overall result. Still, it’s a valuable experience for me,” he reflected.

Looking ahead, Ubed remains hopeful of competing at the China Open 2026, where he is currently first on the waiting list. “I’m still number one on the reserve list for next week’s China Open. Hopefully I can play, but in the meantime, I’ll prepare myself well,” he concluded.

His exit leaves Alwi Farhan as Indonesia’s sole representative in the men’s singles draw, after Alwi secured a quarterfinal berth. For Ubed, however, the Japan Open marked an important step in his journey, one where defeat became a platform for growth. ***