Wednesday, 13 Nov 2024

News | BWF World Championships

Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan Achieve Great Heights Together

Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan reached new heights at the TOTAL BWF World Championships 2019, marking a significant milestone in their partnership. Despite their temporary split after the Rio Olympics, the duo triumphed over Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi of Japan with a score of 25-23, 9-21, 21-15. Setiawan’s victory on his birthday tied him with Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng for the most successful men’s doubles players at the World Championships with four gold medals. Ahsan closely follows with three, all won with Setiawan in 2013, 2015, and 2019.

News | BWF World Championships

A Display of Magic and Resilience

In classic style, Ahsan and Setiawan showcased their impeccable wrist-play, executing flick shots, powerful drives, and delicate touches that rendered their opponents helpless. Though Hoki and Kobayashi showed great resilience, defending skillfully and launching aggressive attacks, they couldn’t overcome the Indonesian pair’s dominance in the second game. The Indonesians momentarily gave up the chase, resulting in boos from the crowd. However, Ahsan and Setiawan, no strangers to such situations, relied on their tried-and-true strategies to turn the tide. Setiawan’s exceptional touch at the net paved the way for Ahsan’s decisive shots.

A Pivotal Moment

Hoki’s dynamic performance throughout the match was marred by Kobayashi’s inability to read Ahsan’s flick serve, leading to costly mistakes for the Japanese duo. Although Ahsan struggled with a few wayward shots, his support for Setiawan enabled them to establish a significant lead in the third game, securing victory. The match ended in an anti-climactic manner when the Japanese challenged a line call, only for the review to go against them.

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“This one is special because we are not young anymore,” expressed Setiawan humbly. “We are called veterans and Daddies. It doesn’t affect us. What matters is that we are young at heart.”

A Decade in the Making

For the first time in a decade since Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng in 2009, the men’s doubles pair who won the All England also emerged victorious at the World Championships.

“It’s not that we did anything special; we just kept our focus and were mentally ready,” shared Ahsan.

Looking Ahead: Tokyo 2020

Reflecting on their post-Rio split and subsequent reunion, Ahsan revealed that their next goal is the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. “The decision to partner up again was ours. We would like to go for one more Olympics. It won’t be easy, but we are determined to give it a shot.”

Respect for the Opponents

The beaten finalists could only admire the way Ahsan and Setiawan slipped through their grasp. “Our opponents changed tactics midway through the third game, and we couldn’t catch up,” acknowledged Hoki. “Setiawan’s net play was simply too good. We are pleased with our high-level performance throughout the tournament, but today they were too formidable.”

FAQs

Q: How many gold medals have Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan won together at the World Championships?
A: Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan have won three gold medals together at the World Championships.

Q: Who are the most successful men’s doubles players at the World Championships?
A: Cai Yun, Fu Haifeng, and Hendra Setiawan are tied for the most successful men’s doubles players at the World Championships, with four gold medals each.

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Q: What was the outcome of the match between Ahsan/Setiawan and Hoki/Kobayashi?
A: Ahsan/Setiawan emerged victorious with a score of 25-23, 9-21, 21-15 against Hoki/Kobayashi.

Summary

Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan showcased their exceptional skills and unwavering determination at the TOTAL BWF World Championships. Their victory over Takuro Hoki and Yugo Kobayashi marked a significant milestone in their partnership, tying Setiawan with Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng as the most successful men’s doubles players at the World Championships. Despite a valiant effort from their opponents, Ahsan and Setiawan’s masterful wrist-play and resilience proved too formidable. Looking ahead, their focus is set on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. This monumental achievement reaffirms their status as legends in the badminton world. To stay updated with the latest news, visit Carnegiecentre.com.