It’s about time: Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin (right) posing with Keita Makino of Japan after winning the men’s singles title at the Indonesian International Challenge in Surabaya.
PETALING JAYA: It was a small tournament but a big career moment for shuttler Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin after winning the Indonesian International Challenge.
The 23-year-old Aidil put up a commanding show to beat Japan’s Keita Makino 21-14, 21-6 in the men’s singles final in Surabaya yesterday for his first individual title in five years.
“First of all, I thank God as I’ve finally won a title after waiting so long,” said Aidil, who joined the national team in 2018.
“I felt that I played with more confidence in this tournament.
“I was more patient on court and did not rush to get points.”
It was an encouraging win for Aidil after he had struggled to make a breakthrough before this.
He had failed to reach the semi-finals in any of his tournaments this year prior to his victory in Surabaya.
His best achievement in individual competitions had been two runner-up finishes in the 2019 Hellas Open and 2022 Malaysian International where he had lost in the final to teammates Lim Chong King and Justin Hoh respectively.
Aidil hopes this breakthrough will lead to more.
“I’m not satisfied yet as I still have a long journey,” he said.
“This is a good start for me and I will continue giving my best in upcoming tournaments.”
Meanwhile, mixed doubles pair Choong Hon Jian-Go Pei Kee could not make it a double joy for Malaysia after they went down fighting 20-22, 18-21, 14-21 to Japan’s Hiroki Nishi-Akari Sato.
Despite finishing as runners-up, it was still an encouraging outing for Hon Jian-Pei Kee as they hace reached their maiden international final together.
Aidil and Hon Jian-Pei Kee will next turn their attentions to the World Tour Super 100 Indonesian Masters which gets under way tomorrow at the same venue.
FINAL RESULTS
Men’s singles: Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin (Mas) bt Keita Makino (Jpn) 21-14, 21-6.
Men’s doubles: Kenya Mitsuhashi-Hiroki Okamura (Jpn) bt Ki Dongju-Kim Jae-hwan (Kor) 20-22, 21-16, 21-8.
Women’s singles: Sim Yu-jin (Kor) bt Kim Ga-ram (Kor) 21-16, 21-13.
Women’s doubles: Laksika Kanlaha-Phataimas Muenwong (Tha) bt Sayaka Hobara-Yui Suizu (Jpn) 21-18, 21-18.
Mixed doubles: Hiroki Nishi-Akari Sato (Jpn) bt Choong Hon Jian-Go Pei Kee (Mas) 22-20, 18-21, 21-14.
