Indonesian shuttlers, most of them in their prime at between 20 and 30 years old, used the qualifying round of the BCA Indonesia Open Super Series Premier 2016 on Monday as a warming up session and a chance to assess other shuttlers’ strategies.

Regardless winning or losing, the shuttlers learn lessons to sharpen their skills.

An example took place with siblings Fran and Fernando Kurniawan.

In one mixed doubles match, Fran, paired with Komala Dewi, was stunned by Fernando and Dian Fitriani in a rubber 22-24, 21-18, 21-19.

Fran accepted the loss, which he hoped could inspire younger Indonesian shuttlers to play better.

“Despite the fact that we are siblings, our competitiveness as athletes forces us to go all out from the very beginning. So this has been an honest match-up,” Fran told journalists after the Monday’s qualifier at Istora indoor stadium in Senayan, Jakarta.

The Fran and Komala pair is number 67 in the world, while Fernando and Dian are ranked 479th.

Fran, who won the TATA India Open International Challenge in 2011 with Shendy Puspa Irawati, said he challenges younger shuttlers to take the very best of the tournament to boost their skills.

In response, Fernando vowed to fight hard in the competition, regardless of a specific target for winning.

When Fernando’s sky is bright and blue, it’s a gloomy day for Firman Abdul Kholik, who bowed down to Zi Liang Derek Wong of Singapore, after a thrilling 21-17, 26-24 men’s singles match.

Firman admitted he learned his lesson throughout the battle. “I definitely still need to improve my skill in countering short volleys.”

The Monday’s failure was another downturn for Firman at the Indonesia Open as he also exited early from last year’s event.

Nevertheless, he quickly moved on.

“I take the positive side. I will improve my skills and fitness,” said Firman.

As a hosting country, Indonesia is privileged to apply new strategies in the Indonesia Open to map its shuttlers’ ability on the world stage. Among those strategies is the deployment of new pairs.

Hafiz Faisal, who used to be paired with Putra Eka Rhoma, is now paired with Wahyu Nayaka Pankaryanira in men’s doubles.

Hafiz acknowledged that along with his new partner he had to find chemistry before fighting their opponents.

“We tried to set a rhythm, but then we lost focus for a while. Later on, we managed to come back with a better strategy,” Hafiz said.

Hafiz and Wahyu managed to secure a main draw spot by defeating compatriots Wisnu Cahyo Saputro and Trikusumo Wardhana 21-19, 16-21, 21-11.

Another new pair, Greysia Polii and Rian Agung Saputro in mixed doubles, was defeated by compatriots Ardiansyah and Devi Tika Permatasari 21-17, 21-17.

Greysia, who is world number two with Nitya Krishinda Maheswari in women’s doubles, acknowledged that she faced worthy opponents.

“We use the tournament to assess our skills so we will be ready for the bigger arena in the Olympics,” she said, adding that her main focus is still the August Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro with Nitya.

The Indonesia Open runs until Sunday, featuring the world’s top players including world number ones such as Chen Long of China in men’s singles, Lee Yong Dae and Yoo Yeon Seong of South Korea in men’s doubles and Zhang Nan and Zhang Yunlei in women’s doubles.

Most top players also take the Indonesian Open, which offers US$900,000 in total prize money, as a perfect opportunity to assess their opponents for the Olympics showdown.

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