RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian mixed doubles squad for the 2026 Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Championships in New Delhi, India, has been reduced to two pairs after world No. 13 Jafar Hidayatullah/Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu withdrew from the tournament.

According to the latest participant list released by the BWF, the Indonesian pair officially withdrew on Wednesday, July 29, 2026. No official explanation has been given for their withdrawal.

Jafar/Felisha had previously missed the 2026 Japan Open and China Open after Felisha suffered an ankle injury during training. The injury ruled her out of both tournaments, though it has not been confirmed whether it is also the reason for their withdrawal from the World Championships.

Their withdrawal opened the possibility for reserve pair Dejan Ferdinansyah/Bernadine Anindya Wardana to enter the main draw. However, the updated BWF entry list showed that the promotion was declined on July 29, with no official explanation provided.

The pair are no longer competing together. Dejan has been partnered with Apriyani Rahayu, while Bernadine is now playing alongside Verrell Yustin Mulia.

Dejan/Apriyani made their debut at the 2026 Taipei Open but were eliminated in the first round after losing 19-21, 19-21 to Japan's Haruki Kawabe/Kokona Ishikawa.

The partnership changes are part of the Indonesian Badminton Association's (PBSI) ongoing restructuring of the mixed doubles program. Dejan/Apriyani's partnership will be evaluated after six international tournaments.

PBSI has also ended its collaboration with mixed doubles head coach Rionny Mainaky and assistant coach Amon Sunaryo. While searching for a replacement, the federation has merged training sessions for its elite and development squads.

“The coaching change is not based solely on short-term results," PBSI Head of Development and Achievement Eng Hian said in an official statement on Thursday, July 30, as quoted by Antara.

"We conducted a comprehensive evaluation covering athlete development, training effectiveness, partnership dynamics, and the sector's readiness for future major targets,” he added.

PBSI is expected to announce a new mixed doubles head coach in August.

Following the withdrawal of Jafar/Felisha and the absence of Dejan/Bernadine from the main draw, Indonesia will be represented by only two mixed doubles pairs at the 2026 BWF World Championships: Amri Syahnawi/Nita Violina Marwah and Marwan Faza/Aisyah Salsabila Putri Pranata. ***