Indonesia Ends 28-Year Badminton Gold Drought at Asian Games

Indonesia's men's badminton team claimed their first Asian Games gold medal in 28 years on September 24, 2026, defeating China 3–2 in a dramatic final at Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium in Aichi, Japan. The victory marked Indonesia's first gold at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Games and ended a lengthy drought since their last men's team gold in 1998.

China dominated the opening exchanges, taking a commanding 2–0 lead. Shi Yu Qi defeated Jonatan Christie 21–13, 21–18 in the first match, followed by Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang's victory over Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri 22–20, 19–21, 21–14 in the doubles match. The Indonesian team appeared headed toward defeat as the deficit deepened. However, Indonesia rallied dramatically with consecutive victories. Alwi Farhan defeated Li Shi Feng 23–21, 15–21, 21–16 in the third match, followed by Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin's 23–21, 21–10 victory over He Ji Ting and Liu Yi in the doubles match, leveling the score at 2–2.

The decisive fifth match saw 19-year-old Moh Zaki Ubaidillah secure gold for Indonesia with a straight-set victory over Weng Hongyang, 23–21, 21–13. Ubaidillah, competing in his first Asian Games, rallied from a 16–20 deficit in the opening game before closing decisively. The victory marked Indonesia's first gold medal at the 2026 Games, coming after the team had trailed other Southeast Asian nations that had already secured gold medals earlier in the competition.

This gold represented Indonesia's sixth title in the men's team badminton category at the Asian Games, placing them second historically behind China's seven titles. The 1998 Bangkok Games team, which defeated China 4–0 in that final, included future Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat. Hidayat attended the 2026 final as Deputy Chair of the Indonesian Badminton Association and became emotional witnessing the comeback victory, later posting on social media and embracing Indonesian Badminton Association leadership at courtside. The win underscored Indonesia's recovery in badminton after failing to medal in the team events at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.