Indonesia end China's two-game Asian Games reign to win men's badminton team gold
Synopsis
A 19-year-old saved four match points and closed out the decider against an Asian Games gold medallist to hand Indonesia the men's badminton team title in Nagoya, snapping China's two-edition winning run. India's bronze — only the second badminton podium in Asian Games history — adds a significant subplot to a landmark day for the sport.
Key Takeaways
Indonesia defeated China 3-2 in the men's badminton team final at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya on 24 September .
The win ends China's bid for a third straight men's team title at the Asian Games.
19-year-old Zaki Ubaidillah sealed the gold in the deciding rubber, saving four game points against Weng Hongyang .
India claimed a historic bronze — only the second badminton podium in their Asian Games history.
India's previous badminton medal came at the 2023 Hangzhou Games , where Rankireddy and Shetty won men's doubles gold.
Indonesia defeated China in a dramatic five-match final to claim the men's badminton team gold at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan on Thursday, 24 September, ending China's bid for a third consecutive championship in the event. The Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium witnessed one of the tournament's most competitive finals, with the tie going the distance before a teenage debutant sealed it for Indonesia.
How the Final Unfolded
China drew first blood when former world champion Shi Yuqi beat Jonatan Christie 21-13, 21-18 to hand the Chinese a 1-0 lead. The doubles pair of Feng Yanzhe and Liang Weikeng extended it to 2-0, edging out Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Shohibul Fikri in a tense three-game contest, 22-20, 19-21, 21-14.
Indonesia clawed their way back through Alwi Farhan, who outlasted Li Shifeng 23-21, 15-21, 21-16 to make it 2-1. The doubles pair of Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin then levelled at 2-2 in just 45 minutes, defeating China's He Jiting and Liu Yi 23-21, 21-10 and forcing a deciding rubber.
Zaki Ubaidillah's Match-Winning Nerve
The title came down to 19-year-old Zaki Ubaidillah, who faced Hangzhou Asian Games gold medallist Weng Hongyang in the decider. Ubaidillah saved four game points to take the opening game 23-21, then burst to a 6-1 lead in the second and held firm to close it out 21-13, handing Indonesia the gold. The composure shown by a teenager in a high-stakes final was a standout moment of the entire tournament.
India's Historic Bronze
Meanwhile, India secured a historic bronze medal in the men's team event — only the second time the country has stood on the badminton podium at the Asian Games. Their semifinal run ended in a 3-1 defeat to defending champions China on Wednesday.
Notably, India had already guaranteed their first-ever Asian Games men's team medal before the semifinal, having defeated hosts Japan in the quarterfinals. Their previous podium in badminton at the Asian Games came at the 2023 Hangzhou Games, where Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty captured the men's doubles gold.
What It Means for Asian Badminton
Indonesia's triumph breaks China's stranglehold on this event, which the Chinese had won at both the 2022 Hangzhou and the preceding editions. Indonesia, badminton's most storied nation, reclaims the continental team title with a blend of experienced campaigners and emerging youth. For China, the result is a rare setback in a discipline they have long dominated at continental level. India's bronze, meanwhile, signals a growing depth in the country's team badminton infrastructure and raises expectations ahead of future editions.
Point of View
Handed the highest-pressure match in the final. For India, the bronze is genuine progress, but the 3-1 semifinal loss to China underlines how wide the gap remains in singles depth, which will be the defining challenge as India looks to convert team momentum into a medal at the next edition.
NationPress
25 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the men's badminton team gold at the 2026 Asian Games?
Indonesia won the men's badminton team gold at the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, defeating China 3-2 in a five-match final on 24 September. It ended China's two-edition winning streak in the event.
Who was the hero of Indonesia's win in the final?
19-year-old Zaki Ubaidillah was the decisive player, winning the fifth and final rubber against Hangzhou Asian Games gold medallist Weng Hongyang. He saved four game points in the first game before closing out the match 23-21, 21-13.
What medal did India win in men's team badminton at the 2026 Asian Games?
India won the bronze medal, marking only the second time the country has finished on the badminton podium at the Asian Games. They were defeated 3-1 by China in the semifinals on Wednesday.
When did India last win a badminton medal at the Asian Games?
India's previous badminton medal at the Asian Games came at the 2023 Hangzhou Games, where Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty won the men's doubles gold. The 2026 bronze is India's first men's team event medal at the Asian Games.
How did the men's badminton team final between Indonesia and China go?
China led 2-0 after Shi Yuqi won the opening singles and the doubles pair of Feng Yanzhe and Liang Weikeng took the first doubles. Indonesia fought back through Alwi Farhan in singles and Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin in doubles to level at 2-2, before Zaki Ubaidillah clinched the decider against Weng Hongyang.
