No stopping the Indonesians
A behemoth in the badminton scene, Indonesia has been dominating the competition since the 1977 SEA Games, when they took home gold for the Men’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles and Mixed’s Doubles events, leaving only Malaysia’s four-time winner Sylvia Ng as the reigning champion in Women’s Doubles. Indonesia has gone on to clock a whopping 103 gold medals in SEA Games badminton, leaving a huge gap for second-place Malaysia to bridge, with just 43 gold medals of their own.
For the Games this year, competitive veterans from Indonesia will be accompanied by fresh faces, many of whom are representing their country for the first time. 15-year old Gregoria Mariska Tunjung is the youngest ever athlete to make the grade for Indonesia, and she will be showing off her skills in the Women’s Singles event. Former mixed double gold medallist Debby Susanto will also be returning with new partner Praveen Jordan, who is four years her junior. With a youthful squad brimming with potential, it is clear that Indonesia are looking to continue extending their domination.
Dark horses Malaysia and Thailand
Malaysia and Thailand will also put up quite a fight in the 28th SEA Games. Thai exponent Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk should fancy himself to defend his Men’s Singles title, after moving up from his 2011 silver medal to win the country’s first gold in the competition in 2013.
His compatriot Ratchanok Intanon, considered a prodigy by many after becoming the youngest World Champion in 2013, will also be competing in her speciality this year. Meanwhile, Malaysian pairing Woon Khe Wei and Vivian Hoo will lay it all on the line to hold off their rivals in the Women’s Doubles.