Fajar/Fikri Aim to Build on Japan and China Open Success at World Championships

Indonesian men's doubles pair Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri began their campaign at the BWF World Championships 2026 with a decisive victory. The second-seeded duo overcame France's Eloi Adam and Leo Rossi in just two games, with a score of 21-14, 21-13, in the round of 32 match held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi, India.

Alfian and Fikri displayed controlled play from the outset, attributing their success to a thorough understanding of their opponents' game. They had studied Adam and Rossi's play, including their previous match against fellow Indonesians Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Reza Pahlevi Isfahani at the Thomas Cup.

"We already understood the opponents' character. They met Sabar/Reza at the Thomas Cup, and we continued to study that," Fajar explained. Their knowledge was further enhanced by Adam and Rossi's two-week training period at the national training center, which provided insights into their habits and shot placements. Fajar described the French pair as aggressive, noting that he and Fikri focused on managing the pace of the game while maintaining their own consistency.

Despite the successful opening match, Fajar mentioned that the primary adjustment needed was related to the direction of the wind within the arena. The pair aims to leverage their recent wins at the Japan and China Opens as a foundation for their performance in the World Championships.