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ndonesian men’s doubles ace Markis Kido says he is targeting to claim a fourth consecutive gold medal at the upcoming 26th SEA Games in Jakarta.

Kido’s hopes have been boosted by the withdrawal from the tournament by reigning world No. 5 pairing Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong of Malaysia.

Kido and Hendra Setiawan, a former world No. 1 pairing, currently stand as No. 7 in the world.

They won gold in the men’s doubles at the 2009, 2007 and 2005 SEA Games.

“Personally I do hope to continue my gold medal run. I believe we have a greater chance to reach that target as our Malaysian nemeses Koo and Tan will be absent from the Games. However, we remain cautious of the younger opponents,” said the 27-year-old Kido on Wednesday.

Indonesia’s biggest badminton rivals in Southeast Asia – Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore – have produced a number of talented new pairings recently.

The host men’s doubles SEA Games squad also includes Kido’s younger brother; world No. 6 Bona Septano, who is partnered with M. Ahsan.

Winners of the recent Bankaltim Indonesia Open Grand Prix Gold, Bona and Ahsan have shown impressive form lately, including a notable victory over Kido and Hendra on their way to the finals of the Japan Open Superseries in September.

“We have an 80 percent chance of grabbing gold in the men’s doubles with the absence of Koo and Tan. Both Kido-Hendra and Bona-Ahsan have the same chance. However, Bona-Ahsan do still need to work more on their defense,” said national men’s doubles coach Herry IP.

Separately, in the women’s doubles, SEA Games hopefuls Greysia Polii and Meiliana Jauhari are on the sidelines after Greysia’s unexpected injury in the finals of the Taiwan Open Superseries, where the world No. 8 pair finished runners-up.

“Greysia’s is only 50 percent recovered. Yet, we are forced to field them at the upcoming Denmark Open Superseries Premier to avoid the US$5,000 penalty. It’s indeed a dilemma, with the approaching SEA Games and the ongoing Olympics qualifications,” said national women’s doubles coach Aryono Miranat.

Proteges of Malaysian doubles coach Rexy Mainaky, newcomers Vivian Kah Mun Hoo and Khe Wei Woon recently snatched the Grand Prix Gold title in Samarinda and are considered the dark horses at the Games.

The competition in the mixed doubles appears to be just as tough.

Indonesia’s squad, which includes world No. 3 pairing Tontowi Ahmad and Liliyana Natsir and world No. 13 pair Fran Kurniawan and Pia Zebadiah Bernadet, have disappointed over the past few months after a glittering start to the year.