Indonesian men's doubles pair Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri made a brilliant start to their campaign at the China Open 2026 after defeating host representatives Huang Di/Liu Yang in the round of 32 at the Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium, Changzhou, on Wednesday (22/7).
This result propelled them into the round of 16 while keeping alive their hopes of continuing their impressive run following their victory at the Japan Open 2026 a few days ago. Fajar and Fikri also have plenty of confidence after successfully winning last year’s China Open 2025.
This achievement marks a positive start for the pair, who are under the fostering of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) and supported by PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, or BNI, in their efforts to maintain Indonesia’s consistent performance at the world’s elite level. This support is part of BNI’s long-term commitment as a strategic partner of PBSI in strengthening the development of national athletes.
BNI Corporate Secretary Okki Rushartomo said that their first victory at the China Open 2026 was a key asset for Fajar and Fikri in maintaining their consistency at the world’s highest level.
He viewed that their success in advancing to the next round reflected their fighting spirit and strong competitive mindset, especially after winning the prestigious title at the Japan Open just a few days earlier.
“BNI is proud to see Fajar and Fikri maintain their positive momentum after winning the previous championship. Their strong start at the China Open 2026 proves that Indonesian athletes are highly competitive at the world’s elite level. We hope they continue to maintain their consistency and once again deliver outstanding results for Indonesia,” said Okki.
As a strategic partner of PBSI, BNI remains committed to supporting the development of Indonesian badminton athletes so they can consistently compete on the international stage.
This support is part of BNI’s contribution to fostering national athletic achievements and bringing honor to Indonesia at various international events, in line with the transformation of state-owned enterprises under the coordination of Danantara Indonesia to create added value for the nation.
“BNI believes that the athletes’ consistent achievements are not only a source of national pride, but also serve to inspire the younger generation to continue excelling through hard work, discipline, and a never-give-up spirit,” Okki emphasized.
Through its ongoing support for PBSI, BNI hopes that more and more Indonesian athletes will be able to uphold the tradition of championship success while solidifying the country’s dominance in badminton on the world stage. This spirit is what BNI has consistently embodied for eight decades through its “Swadharma Bhakti Nagara” philosophy.