Malaysian professional men’s doubles stars Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani etched their names into the history books after ending Malaysia’s 18-year wait for the Indonesia Open men’s doubles title with a stunning comeback victory at the iconic Istora Senayan on Sunday.
The world No.8 pair overcame a difficult start before defeating Indonesia’s rising duo Raymond Indra and Nikolaus Joaquin 13-21, 21-18, 21-10 in 49 minutes to capture the biggest title of their 2026 season.
The triumph also ended a long-standing drought for Malaysia in the men’s doubles event at the prestigious Super 1000 tournament. The last Malaysian pair to lift the Indonesia Open men’s doubles crown were Zakry Abdul Latif and Fairuzizuan Tazari back in 2008.
Arriving in Jakarta as the tournament’s seventh seeds, Sze Fei and Izzuddin entered the final as favourites on paper, but they quickly found themselves under immense pressure from the energetic Indonesian pair, who enjoyed the full backing of a passionate home crowd.
The Malaysian duo struggled to find their rhythm during the opening game as Raymond and Nikolaus dictated the pace with aggressive attacking play and fearless shot-making. The hosts capitalised on their momentum to comfortably secure the first game 21-13 and move within one game of a memorable home victory.
Facing a potential defeat, Sze Fei and Izzuddin responded with the composure and maturity that have defined their outstanding season.
The Malaysians raised their intensity in the second game, tightening their defence while becoming more consistent in the longer rallies. Their patience and experience gradually began to wear down the Indonesian challenge, allowing them to claim a hard-fought 21-18 victory and force a deciding game.
With momentum firmly on their side, Sze Fei and Izzuddin delivered a championship-winning performance in the final game.
The Malaysian pair completely controlled proceedings, combining relentless attacking pressure with solid defensive coverage that left their opponents struggling to find solutions. Point after point, the gap widened as the experienced duo showcased the quality that has made them one of the most dangerous partnerships on the BWF World Tour.
By the closing stages, the result was no longer in doubt. Sze Fei and Izzuddin surged to a dominant 21-10 victory in the decider, sealing a remarkable comeback and sparking celebrations among the Malaysian contingent inside Istora Senayan.
The title further reinforces their reputation as one of the most consistent men’s doubles pairs on the world circuit in 2026.
Over the last three weeks alone, the pair have reached the semi-finals of the Thailand Open, finished runners-up at the Malaysia Masters, and now lifted the Indonesia Open trophy—an impressive run that highlights their growing status among badminton’s elite.
Credit Photo : BERNAMA
