World Championships 2026 Kick Off in New Delhi, Putri and Alwi Ready

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The 2026 Badminton World Championships will take place from Monday, August 17 to Sunday, August 23 at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi, India. Players are making their final preparations ahead of the opening matches.

Indonesia’s women’s singles shuttler Putri Kusuma Wardani expressed satisfaction with improvements at the venue compared to the India Open earlier this year.

“The arena is much better now. They’ve made many upgrades in all aspects,” she said after practice on Sunday, August 16. She noted brighter lighting, cleaner conditions, and no haze on court, making competition more comfortable.

Putri KW, a bronze medalist at the 2025 World Championships, will face Mikaela Joy De Guzman of the Philippines in the round of 64. “I cannot underestimate her. From match videos, she’s very persistent. Tomorrow I’ll focus on controlling the rhythm and dominating the court,” she said.

In men’s singles, Alwi Farhan approaches his second World Championships with greater mental maturity. “I’m very excited. I’ve prepared as best as I can, and I’m not afraid because I’ve done everything possible. Hopefully the small wins I’ve built daily will translate into victories on court,” he said.

Alwi will open against Yoo Tae Bin of South Korea, who has been in strong form. “He’s gained confidence from recent tournaments, so I must anticipate that challenge,” Alwi remarked.

Indonesia’s squad for the 2026 World Championships:

• Men’s Singles: Jonatan Christie, Alwi Farhan
• Women’s Singles: Putri Kusuma Wardani, Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan
• Men’s Doubles: Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri; Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani; Raymond Indra/Nikolaus Joaquin
• Women’s Doubles: Rachel Allessya Rose/Febi Setianingrum; Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma/Meilysa Trias Puspitasari; Isyana Syahira Meida/Rinjani Kwinnara Nastine
• Mixed Doubles: Amri Syahnawi/Nita Violina Marwah; Marwan Faza/Aisyah Salsabila Putri Pranata; Bimo Prasetyo/Arlya Nabila Thesya Munggaran; Rehan Naufal Kusharjanto/Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja. (Diffa Sephiawardhani)