Indonesia's Richie Targets Second 2026 Title as Apriyani Adapts to Mixed Doubles

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s campaign at the Polytron Pontianak International Challenge 2026 will be highlighted by shuttler Richie Duta Richardo’s pursuit of his second title this season and Olympic champion Apriyani Rahayu’s continued adaptation in mixed doubles with Dejan Ferdinansyah.

Richardo, who lifted the Vietnam International Challenge 2026 crown in March, is aiming to add another trophy when the Pontianak tournament unfolds from August 25–30 at the Ahmad Yani Integrated Sports Hall in West Kalimantan.

“Preparation has been ongoing for quite some time, and I feel very ready,” Richie said in a statement released by the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) on Monday, August 24, as quoted by Antara.

Meanwhile, Apriyani is focused on refining her playing patterns and rotations with Dejan, as the pair continues to build chemistry ahead of their appearance in Pontianak.

“What has been challenging for me in switching to mixed doubles is adapting to the playing pattern. In women’s doubles, I am the playmaker, but in mixed doubles, I have to play at the front,” Apriyani said in a PBSI statement in Jakarta.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalist with Greysia Polii has also continued to build communication with Dejan, whom she said has a different playing character compared with her previous women’s doubles partners.

“Dejan and I are still trying to maintain good communication both on and off the court, and thankfully, it has been going well,” she said. ***