Indonesian men's doubles pair Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri achieved a proud victory by winning the Japan Open 2026 after defeating the world's number one pair from South Korea in the final at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on Sunday (07/20). The victory not only brought pride to Indonesia but also emphasized that consistent and sustainable athlete development can produce world-class athletes who compete at the highest level.
As a Strategic Partner of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI), PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (BNI) remains committed to strengthening the national badminton ecosystem through continuous support for athlete development. For BNI, investment in sports goes beyond supporting competitions, but is part of an effort to build the foundation for a generation of Indonesian athletes capable of bringing honor to the nation on the international stage.
BNI Corporate Secretary Okki Rushartomo said Fajar/Fikri's success is proof that strong collaboration between the business world and sports organizations can have a real impact on improving national achievements.
“We congratulate Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri on winning the Japan Open 2026 title. This achievement is a source of pride for all Indonesians and demonstrates that a consistent, focused, and sustainable development process can produce athletes capable of competing on the global stage,” said Okki.
This is because, in his view, the Japan Open title holds great significance as it marks Fajar and Fikri’s first title of the 2026 season after a long journey that included five previous final appearances. Their resilience in maintaining consistent performance—which ultimately led to their victory over the world’s top-ranked pair—reflects the ever-improving quality of their training.
Before winning the title in Japan, Fajar/Fikri had proven their consistency by reaching the finals of the 2025 Korea Open, the Australian Open 2025, the French Open 2025, the Denmark Open 2025, and the Singapore Open 2026. They also won the China Open 2025. This series of achievements proves that Indonesian athletes have the ability to consistently compete among the world’s badminton elite.
Okki added that the opportunity to consistently participate in international tournaments is an important part of the development process carried out by PBSI and supported by BNI. In addition to improving technical skills, the experience of competing at the world level also fosters a champion’s mindset, adaptability, and the athletes’ self-confidence when facing high-pressure competitions.
“Every tournament is part of the process of developing athletes. Not every journey ends in victory, but consistency in following through with the process will forge the character of a champion. Fajar and Fikri’s success at the Japan Open is proof that hard work, discipline, and long-term training ultimately lead to achievements that make Indonesia proud,” he added.
As one of PBSI’s key partners, BNI continues to provide support focused on the sustainable development of national athletic achievements. This collaboration is part of BNI’s commitment to building Indonesia’s badminton ecosystem, from athlete development to strengthening Indonesia’s competitiveness on the global stage.
This support is also in line with BNI’s strategy to create shared value, whereby collaboration with various stakeholders not only leads to athletic achievements but also strengthens national pride, inspires the younger generation, and enhances Indonesia’s positive image in the eyes of the world.
Through the spirit of “Serving Wholeheartedly,” BNI will continue to strengthen its synergy with PBSI to produce more high-achieving athletes capable of flying the Indonesian flag at various world championships. This commitment aligns with the spirit of BNI’s 8 Decades, “Swadharma Bhakti Nagara,” as a tangible manifestation of BNI’s contribution to supporting the development of outstanding human resources and the progress of Indonesia.
*Photo: PBSI Doc.