NINGBO, China – The hopes of his badminton-mad nation are resting on his shoulders, but Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie will try and not let the pressure get to him as he stands on the cusp of a second major title in as many months.
The 26-year-old, who made history at the All England Open in March by winning Indonesia’s first men’s singles title since 1994, will take on China’s world No. 7 Li Shifeng in the Badminton Asia Championships final on April 14.
The heavy weight of expectations is something Christie is only too familiar with.
But, while he had crumbled under it previously, the world No. 5 recently showed that he is better equipped to deal with it.
Asked about the expectations back home after defeating top seed and world No. 2 Shi Yuqi 18-21, 21-19, 21-12 in the semi-finals at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre, he said: “As the only representative of Indonesia in the semi-finals, I just try to reduce such thoughts.
“It would be a lie if I wasn’t feeling the pressure.
“However, I just try to reduce it so that it doesn’t interfere with my performance.”
Li, who also came from behind to beat Japan’s Kodai Naraoka 14-21, 21-15, 21-12 in the other semi-final, will be eyeing victory over Christie to keep alive the hosts’ hopes of a clean sweep of all five events.
China are already assured of a gold in the women’s singles, with all four semi-finalists coming from the hosts.
Spurred on by their home fans, He Bingjiao overcame South Korean top seed An Se-young 21-17, 21-18 in the quarter-finals on April 12.
Han Yue beat Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi 21-13, 21-16 for her first victory over the former world No. 1 in six meetings.
But their campaigns ended in the semi-finals, with He going down 21-19, 21-17 to 2022 winner Wang Zhiyi, while Han lost 21-15, 21-16 to Olympic champion Chen Yufei.
China will also be represented in all three doubles finals, despite the semi-final loss of their top mixed doubles pair Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong on April 13.
The duo lost 9-21, 21-13, 21-16 to South Korea’s Seo Seung-jae and Chae Yu-jung, who had also beaten Zheng and Huang in 2023’s world championships. AFP
