Indonesia’s World Number 1 Men’s Double Pair Kevin-Markus Eye Gold in 2018 Asian Games

Kevin Sanjaya and Marcus Gideon meet with President Jokowi, at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Monday (2/4). (Photo by: Public Relations Division/Rahmat).

Indonesia’s World Number 1 Badminton Men’s Double pair Kevin Sanjaya/Marcus Gideon were on cloud nine to meet President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Monday (2/4) afternoon.

They admitted that the meeting has motivated and inspired them to do their utmost in the 2018 Asian Games to be held in Indonesian capital of Jakarta and Palembang, the provincial capital of South Sumatra province from 18 August to 2 September.

“We should be upbeat but do not want to overdo it too. We have set a gold medal target,” Kevin told reporters after the meeting.

Kevin and Marcus – who have recently defended their All England title last month – revealed that their toughest rivals in the upcoming Asian Games are quite evenly distributed.

“Our rivals are from China, Japan, Korea, and Thailand. All is quite evenly. The important thing is we have to be ready,” Kevin said.

For the record, in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, Indonesia won Badminton men’s double gold and Badminton women’s gold.

In the meantime, when it comes to the preparation for the 2018 Thomas Cup in Bangkok this coming May, Kevin claimed to have started intensive trainings from this week. (MRA/RAH/ES) (MUR/EP/YM/Naster).