Indonesian para-badminton team clinches 7 golds in Spain

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: The Indonesian para-badminton team won seven gold medals at the Spanish Para Badminton International 2023, held in Vitoria, Spain, from February 20–26, 2023.

In the final match on Sunday, Hikmat Ramdani/Leani Ratri Oktila secured the first title for Indonesia after outplaying Indian’s Chirag Baretha/Mandeep Kaur 21-11, 21-12 in the SL3-SU5 mixed doubles to start the day, the Indonesian National Paralympic Committee informed in a statement received here on Monday.

Subhan/Rina Marlina claimed the second gold medal for Indonesia in the first para-badminton tournament of the season. They beat Thailand’s Natthapong Meechai/Chai Saeyang 21-8, 21-12 in the SH6 mixed doubles final.

Indonesia continued its success with the victory of the unseeded Dheva Anrimusthi over top-seeded Cheah Liek Hou of Malaysia in a 67-minute match of the SU5 men’s singles final that ended with a score of 21-11, 17-21, 21-17.

Syakuroh Qonitah Ikhtiar (SL3) also maintained her dominance in the field with a 21-9, 21-14 win over world champion Oksana Kozyna of Ukraine.

Marlina won another title in the SH6 women’s singles after defeating Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan of India with a score of 21-8, 21-14.

Leani Ratri Oktila emerged as the most successful player. After securing gold in mixed doubles, she reemerged as the champion in women’s singles as well as doubles.

In the tournament, which also served as the Paris 2024 qualifying event, Oktila grabbed the second title against Fujino Haruka of Japan in the SL4 singles crown and won by 21-11, 14-21, and 21-13 in 37 minutes.

Oktila wrapped up the day by beating Indian pair Manasi Girishchandra Joshi/Shanthiya Viswanathan 21-9, 21-9 with her women’s doubles partner, Khalimatus Sadiyah Sukohandoko.

“I am very satisfied with the results because I was able to win three gold medals in three different categories I participated in…This tournament was very tough because there were players from Japan and France,” Oktila remarked.

The Indonesian para-badminton team will next head to the Paris 2024 Paralympic qualifying event and the Spanish Para Badminton International Toledo 2023, which will be held on March 1–7.