Big Surprise in SEA Games 2025 List: Without Jojo, Ginting and Fajar-Fikri, Indonesia Relies on New Faces

PBSI has released the final list of Indonesian badminton athletes for the SEA Games 2025 in Thailand. Three top stars Jonatan Christie, Anthony Sinisuka Ginting, and the elite men's doubles pair Fajar Alfian/Muhammad Shohibul Fikri are confirmed to be absent from the squad. 

PBSI's Head of Development and Achievement Eng Hian revealed the reasons for the absence of the trio, a combination of technical and non-technical factors that forced PBSI to restructure the team's strength scheme.

“Fajar has a scheduled wedding event and Fajar/Fikri also have a scheduled Umrah pilgrimage,” said Eng Hian in an official PBSI statement on Friday, November 28, 2025.

In the men's singles sector, the situation is not much different. Ginting cannot join the team because he is awaiting the birth of his first child. 

Meanwhile, Jonatan Christie, who has just completed a series of intense tournaments leading up to the World Tour Finals 2025, requires a longer recovery time.

New Faces Take Over the Stage

With the absence of these three top names, Indonesia will rely on new strengths such as Alwi Farhan, Moh. Zaki Ubaidillah, and Yohanes Saut Marcellyno in the men's singles event. 

For men's doubles, PBSI has chosen Leo Rolly Carnando/Bagas Maulana as the spearhead, supported by the non-national training pair Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Moh. Reza Pahlevi Isfahani, who are replacing Raymond Indra/Nikolaus Joaquin.

In women's singles, PBSI has included the big name Gregoria Mariska Tunjung replacing Thalita Ramadhani Wiryawan.

“The addition of these names was made with technical and strategic considerations so that the Indonesian team has the best composition in an effort to achieve the target of two gold medals at the SEA Games 2025,” explained Eng Hian.

Regeneration as the Main Mission

Eng Hian emphasized that this decision is not solely about the short term. The SEA Games 2025 will be an important element in player regeneration, a process he considers as the foundation for the future of Indonesian badminton.

“Regeneration is a long-term investment. We want to ensure that Indonesian badminton is not only strong today, but remains dominant in the next five to ten years,” he said.

PBSI sees the SEA Games 2025 as a competition laboratory for young athletes and the second tier so that they are ready to fill the space that will be left by the senior generation.

With a combination of experienced players, young talents, and a strengthened technical strategy, Eng Hian is optimistic that the government's target to maintain Indonesia's dominance in ASEAN remains within reach.

Complete List of Badminton Athletes for SEA Games 2025

Men
Alwi Farhan, Moh. Zaki Ubaidillah, Yohanes Saut Marcellyno, Prahdiska Bagas Shujiwo, Leo Rolly Carnando, Bagas Maulana, Sabar Karyaman Gutama, Moh. Reza Pahlevi Isfahani, Jafar Hidayatullah, Amri Syahnawi.

Women
Putri Kusuma Wardani, Gregoria Mariska Tunjung, Mutiara Ayu Puspitasari, Ni Kadek Dhinda Amartya Pratiwi, Febriana Dwipuji Kusuma, Meilysa Trias Puspitasari, Rachel Allessya Rose, Febi Setianingrum, Felisha Alberta Nathaniel Pasaribu, Nita Violina Marwah.

The SEA Games 2025 now becomes a new stage, not only for hunting medals, but also to witness the birth of the next generation of Indonesian badminton. (Antara)