RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia's badminton hopes received another boost after Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri captured the Japan Open title, giving the men's doubles pair renewed confidence as they prepare to defend their BWF World Tour Super 1000 China Open 2026.

The victory in Tokyo provides valuable momentum as the Indonesians aim to defend their China Open crown and strengthen their bid for more major titles this season.

Head coach Antonius Budi Ariantho said the pair must not become complacent after claiming the Super 750 Japan Open 2026 title.

"The China Open is next, so I hope they stay focused and do not lose concentration," Antonius said in a statement released by the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) on Monday, July 20, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

"Although the opponents are largely the same, the tournament level is higher because it is a Super 1000 event. Hopefully, this title will boost their confidence," he added.

Fajar and Fikri have little time to celebrate. After winning the Japan Open final on Sunday, July 19, they will compete in the China Open in Changzhou from July 21 to 26.

The China Open is one of the BWF World Tour Super 1000 tournaments, offering a prize pool of USD 2 million (around IDR 36 billion), one tier above the Super 750 Japan Open.

The event also carries special significance for the Indonesian pair as defending champions.

At the 2025 China Open, Fajar/Fikri defeated Malaysia's Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik 21-15, 21-14 in the final. The title came in only their second tournament together, making them the first unseeded men's doubles pair in a decade to win the China Open.

They now arrive in Changzhou after defeating world No. 1 South Koreans Kim Won-ho/Seo Seung-jae 21-19, 21-17 in the Japan Open final to secure their first title of the 2026 season.

Before lifting the trophy in Tokyo, Fajar/Fikri also reached the final of the Super 750 Singapore Open 2026, where they lost to India's Satwiksairaj Rankireddy/Chirag Shetty 21-18, 17-21, 16-21.

Antonius praised the pair for keeping unforced errors to a minimum and successfully controlling the front court against Kim and Seo. "I'm very happy and satisfied that Fajar/Fikri won the Japan Open. It was not easy, especially against the top seeds and the world's No. 1 pair," Antonius added

"They played extremely well and made very few unforced errors. From the start, I told them to challenge the opponents in front-court play while minimizing mistakes, and they executed that plan well. They took turns controlling the net and never allowed their opponents to dictate the match," he concluded. ***