Indonesian Junior Badminton Team Finishes Runner-Up in Tokyo

RRI.CO.ID, Tokyo - Indonesia’s U-16 junior badminton team finished as runner-up at the 2026 Tokyo International Youth Sports Games (TIYSG), held at Komazawa Olympic Park in Tokyo, Japan, on August 29-30, 2026.

Indonesia was one of eight teams competing in the tournament, alongside Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Malaysia, and four Japanese teams: Tokyo A, Tokyo B, Fukushima, and Saitama. Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Nurmala Kartini Sjahrir praised the young athletes for their efforts in representing Indonesia at the competition.

“Their efforts to carry the Indonesian flag deserve appreciation. Indonesian badminton will continue to develop and regenerate young athletes who can improve their skills through international competitions like this,” Kartini said in a statement received in Jakarta on Monday, August 31, 2026.

She added that the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo would continue to support Indonesian representatives competing in international-level tournaments held in Japan.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Team Manager and Head Coach Eddy Prayitno said the tournament used a mixed-team format following the Sudirman Cup system, featuring five events: men’s doubles, women’s doubles, men’s singles, women’s singles, and mixed doubles.

“This tournament is a valuable experience for these young athletes before they compete in their next international-level tournaments,” Eddy said.

In the Group A preliminary round, Indonesia was drawn alongside Thailand, Saitama, and Tokyo A. Group B consisted of Chinese Taipei, Malaysia, Fukushima, and Tokyo B.

The Indonesian squad made a perfect start to the competition, defeating Thailand and Tokyo A by a 5-0 scoreline in their matches on Saturday, August 29.

Indonesia then faced Saitama before advancing to the final on Sunday, August 30. In the final, Indonesia lost 2-3 to Fukushima to finish as runner-up. Thailand and Chinese Taipei finished third and fourth, respectively.

The Indonesian team featured young talents Antoine Akhzar Syihab, Athaya Affan Zidan, Raynanda Laksmana, Divya Amanta Kuncoro, Malika Nur Aqilah, and Yemima Febryanti Wijaya.

The coaching staff consisted of Eddy Prayitno as team manager and head coach, assisted by coaches Aji Kurnia Putra and Yeni Dyah.