The Indonesian men's doubles pair Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri defended their China Open title after defeating the South Korean top-seeded pair Kim Won-ho and Seo Seung-jae in the final of the China Open 2026 in Changzhou, China, on Sunday (26/7/2026).
Fajar/Fikri bounced back after losing the first game and clinched the match in a three-game battle with scores of 16-21, 21-19, and 21-19. The victory ensured that the Indonesian pair reclaimed the title after winning it at the same tournament in 2025.
This achievement continues the positive streak for Fajar/Fikri, who had won the Japan Open 2026 just a week earlier. As a result, they have claimed two consecutive tournament titles while also defending their title at the Super 1000-level China Open.
PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, or BNI, as a strategic partner of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI), values Fajar/Fikri’s success. This achievement is seen as a reflection of the athletes’ hard work and the importance of consistent and sustained development.
BNI Corporate Secretary Okki Rushartomo said that their success in defending their titles amid fierce global badminton competition demonstrates the strong competitive spirit and fighting spirit of both athletes.
“BNI congratulates Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri on successfully defending their 2026 China Open title. This achievement is the result of hard work, discipline, a never-give-up spirit, and a consistent training process,” Okki said in a written statement.
According to Okki, sports development should not only focus on the achievements of elite athletes, but also be strengthened through the cultivation of young talent, improvements in the quality of coaching, and the continuity of high-performance programs.
As a partner of PBSI, BNI supports the strengthening of the national badminton ecosystem so that Indonesia can maintain its competitiveness in various international championships. This collaboration between the business sector and sports organizations is also aimed at expanding development opportunities for young athletes.
“We are proud to continue to be a strategic partner of PBSI in supporting the development of high-achieving athletes who bring honor to Indonesia on the world stage,” said Okki.
He hopes that Fajar and Fikri’s achievements will inspire the younger generation to dare to set goals, undergo a disciplined training process, and continue to improve their skills in the face of global competition.
Support for the development of athletic talent is part of BNI’s contribution as the bank approaches its 80th anniversary in 2026, embracing the spirit of “Swadharma Bhakti Nagara.” Through ongoing collaboration with PBSI and other stakeholders, BNI strives to support athlete development and uphold Indonesia’s tradition of excellence in badminton on the world stage.
Their success in defending their China Open title and winning two consecutive titles underscores Fajar and Fikri’s consistency among the world’s top men’s doubles pairs. It is hoped that this achievement will serve as a catalyst to strengthen the next generation of players and maintain Indonesia’s position as a major contender in international badminton competition.