Indonesia has ensured that it will win both the gold and silver medals in the men’s doubles final in badminton after pairs Fajar Alfian-Muhammad Rian Ardianto and Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo came out on top in their matches on Monday.
Fajar and Rian defeated world number twos Li Junhui and Liu Yuchen of China 21-14, 19-21, 21-13 in a 47-minute match. Li and Liu are known as the Chinese twin towers because of their heights.
Fajar said that advice from their coach Herry Iman Pierngadi had helped the pair win the match.
“Koh [big brother] Herry suggested that we implement a tactic in which we don’t make too many lob shots, but drive shots, to make the opponents nervous,” Fajar said after the match.
He added that the pair was determined to win the gold medal against veterans Kevin and Gideon in the final on Tuesday.
Kevin and Gideon – dubbed the Minions by badminton fans – advanced to the final after beating Chinese Taipei’s Lee Jhehuei and Lee Yang 21-15, 20-22, 21-12.
Despite being forced to battle their compatriots, Marcus and Kevin said they would do their best to win.
