Putri Kusuma Wardani focuses on mental strength for 2026 World Championships in India

Indonesian women's singles badminton player Putri Kusuma Wardani is setting her sights on the 2026 World Badminton Championships in New Delhi, India, scheduled for August 17-23. Having recently concluded a series of tournaments in Japan and China, Wardani has resumed training with a primary focus on refining her mental game.

Wardani identified non-technical aspects as her most significant area for improvement. "Alhamdulillah, I have started training again. The preparation is roughly the same as before the Japan Open. We are addressing the shortcomings from the last two weeks of competition and incorporating them into training," she told reporters on Tuesday.

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Alhamdulillah, I have started training again. The preparation is roughly the same as before the Japan Open. We are addressing the shortcomings from the last two weeks of competition and incorporating them into training.

She explained that her performance at the Japan Open and China Open highlighted a need for better mental readiness and emotional control, rather than technical deficiencies. Wardani pointed to her semifinal run at the Japan Open, which included a victory over China's Wang Ziyi, as evidence of her capability when her mental state is strong. This success boosted her confidence, enabling her to compete effectively against top players like Japan's Akane Yamaguchi, despite ultimately losing that match.

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More confident. Because I could beat Wang Ziyi, that made me proud of myself. The most important thing remains mental and psychological. That's what I will keep emphasizing in every match, especially when facing top five or top 10 players in the world.

Looking ahead, Wardani faces a demanding schedule that includes the China Masters and the Asian Games in Nagoya. She acknowledges the physical and mental resilience required to maintain consistent performance across these major events. The Asian Games, in particular, presents a unique challenge as it involves representing Indonesia, and Wardani is determined to help the national team achieve better results after their performance at the Hangzhou Asian Games.

Despite these upcoming challenges, Wardani's immediate priority remains the World Championships. She aims to surpass her previous performance by reaching the finals, ideally securing a championship title or at least a runner-up position. She emphasized that the greatest lesson learned this season is the importance of psychological well-being during competition, noting that mental fatigue, rather than physical exhaustion, was her primary challenge after the Japan Open. Her coach, Imam Tohari, continues to guide her in maintaining focus and a positive mindset on court.

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My target is hopefully to improve the medal color. If possible, to win or at least be the runner-up.