Indonesian Badminton Team Arrives in Tokyo Ahead of 2026 Asian Games

RRI.CO.ID, Tokyo - A total of 48 members of Indonesia’s badminton delegation for the 2026 Asian Games arrived at Narita Airport in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday and were welcomed by representatives of the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo. The delegation arrived at 7:25 a.m. local time aboard Japan Airlines (JAL) flight JL726.

The Indonesian delegation consists of 20 athletes, six coaches, and two officials, led by PBSI Head of Development and Achievement, who also serves as Manager of the Indonesian Badminton Team, Eng Hian. The team was welcomed by Third Secretary for the Information, Social, and Cultural Affairs Function at the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, Zharifah Raihanah Shiddiq.

Meanwhile, another 19 members of the delegation arrived at Haneda Airport at 6:50 a.m. local time aboard All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight NH856.

Indonesian Ambassador to Japan, Nurmala Kartini P. Sjahrir, expressed hope that the Indonesian badminton team would bring honor to the Red and White flag at the 2026 Asian Games.

“Welcome to the Indonesian Badminton Team in Japan. Always stay optimistic and aim for success and victory at the 2026 Asian Games by putting on your best performance. Bring honor to the Red and White,” Kartini said in a statement received in Jakarta on Sunday, September 13, 2026.

She said the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, together with Indonesians in Japan and across the country, would continue to provide support and prayers for the athletes’ efforts.

Meanwhile, Eng Hian said the athletes would undergo a four-day training camp in Tokyo before traveling to Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.

“Thank God, the Indonesian team has arrived safely in Tokyo. For four days, we will first conduct a training camp in Tokyo before heading to Nagoya,” Eng Hian said.

He said the training camp was expected to help the athletes adapt ahead of the 2026 Asian Games competition. Eng Hian added that the Indonesian badminton team is targeting one gold medal, in line with the target set by the government through the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

“This target is a challenge for us, but of course, our efforts and the team’s togetherness are more important in achieving it. Thank you for the support from the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo,” he said.

The 20 Indonesian badminton athletes will compete in both team and individual events at the 2026 Asian Games, which will be held in Aichi-Nagoya from September 19 to October 4.

The badminton team events are scheduled for September 20-24, while the individual events will take place from September 25-29 at Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium, Aichi Prefecture.

Indonesia’s men’s team consists of Jonatan Christie, Alwi Farhan, Moh Zaki Ubaidillah, Muhamad Yusuf, Fajar Alfian, Muhammad Shohibul Fikri, Leo Rollycarnando, Daniel Marthin, Nikolaus Joaquin, and Amri Syahnawi.

Meanwhile, the women’s team comprises Putri Kusuma Wardani, Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan, Ni Kadek Dhinda Amartya Pratiwi, Mutiara Ayu Puspitasari, Rachel Allessya Rose, Febi Setianingrum, Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma, Meilysa Trias Puspitasari, Siti Fadia Silva Ramadhanti, and Nita Violina Marwah.