Putri KW Wins Bronze at BWF World Championships 2025

The BWF World Championships 2025 in Paris became a historic stage for Putri Kusuma Wardani (Putri KW). The young Indonesian shuttler secured a bronze medal in the women’s singles after her journey ended in the semifinals with a defeat against defending champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan.

Although she did not reach the final, Putri KW’s achievement is considered remarkable as she became the only Indonesian player to win a medal at this prestigious tournament. This result also serves as proof of the progress in Indonesia’s women’s singles, which has long lagged behind the doubles sector.

Putri KW’s Journey to the Semifinals

The tournament, held from August 25–31, 2025, in Paris, gathered the world’s best badminton players. Putri KW began her campaign with confidence from the early rounds.

In her opening match, she defeated a Japanese opponent with a convincing score. In the round of 16, she delivered an impressive performance, ousting a seeded player from Thailand. Her aggressive play combined with composure gained international attention.

In the quarterfinals, she faced a tough challenge against a South Korean shuttler. The match went the full three games, but Putri displayed exceptional fighting spirit to clinch victory. This secured her place in the semifinals and automatically guaranteed her the bronze medal.

Fierce Battle Against Akane Yamaguchi

The semifinal was Putri KW’s toughest test. She faced two-time world champion Akane Yamaguchi of Japan in a dramatic three-game battle.

In the first game, Putri narrowly lost 17–21 after struggling to counter Akane’s fast attacks. However, she bounced back in the second game with an attacking strategy, winning 21–14. Unfortunately, in the deciding game, Putri’s stamina declined while Akane dominated, taking the third game 21–6. This result ended Putri’s run in the tournament (Detik Sport, August 30).

Despite the defeat, Putri KW’s performance drew widespread praise. Many observers highlighted her courage against one of the world’s best players as a sign of her growing maturity.

Appreciation from PBSI

The Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) welcomed Putri’s bronze medal positively. Head of Development and Achievement, Eng Hian, regarded the achievement as evidence of significant progress in her game.

“Putri has shown great improvement, both technically and mentally. This bronze medal at the World Championships must become a stepping stone for even greater achievements,” said Eng Hian (Suara Surabaya, August 31).

However, PBSI also acknowledged that their original target was not met. The federation had aimed for a gold medal but only brought home a bronze from the women’s singles (VOI, August 31).

Other Countries’ Dominance in 2025

Beyond Putri KW’s success, the tournament highlighted the dominance of powerhouse nations. China clinched titles in two events, demonstrating consistency at the world stage.

Japan, thanks to Akane Yamaguchi’s victory in the women’s singles, reaffirmed its status as a badminton powerhouse, with Akane securing her third world title. Meanwhile, South Korea and Denmark also claimed titles, showcasing the increasingly competitive global landscape (Detik Sport, August 31).

For Indonesia, only one bronze medal through Putri KW was achieved, signaling the need for major evaluation to boost competitiveness in the future.

Public and Media Reactions

In Indonesia, Putri KW’s achievement received an outpouring of praise. Social media was filled with congratulatory messages from badminton fans. The public viewed this as a positive sign for the revival of Indonesia’s women’s singles.

Some analysts even called her a potential successor to legends such as Susy Susanti, though acknowledging she still has a long journey ahead. National media also gave major coverage, describing Putri’s progress as a key milestone in the regeneration of Indonesia’s women’s badminton (JPNN, August 31).

Challenges and Future Hopes

For Putri KW, the journey has just begun. After the bronze in Paris, she is scheduled to compete in major tournaments such as the 2026 Asian Games, Uber Cup, and a series of BWF Super Series events.

PBSI plans to design a special program to improve her consistency and physical endurance, with a primary focus on strengthening her mental toughness to withstand the pressures of major international competitions.

There is hope that Putri KW can continue to grow and become the backbone of Indonesia’s women’s singles. With consistency, her chances of achieving higher honors—including a world title and an Olympic medal—remain wide open.

A New Chapter for Indonesia

Putri KW’s bronze medal at the BWF World Championships 2025 is a significant milestone. It had been a long time since Indonesia had a women’s singles player on the World Championships podium.

This achievement not only brings pride but also inspires the younger generation. Putri KW has proven that with hard work and resilience, Indonesian players can still compete against the world’s badminton giants such as China, Japan, and South Korea.

Despite her semifinal exit, Putri Kusuma Wardani’s bronze medal in the BWF World Championships 2025 is a remarkable achievement. Her loss to Akane Yamaguchi does not diminish the extraordinary effort and determination she displayed throughout the tournament.

This milestone marks the revival of Indonesia’s women’s singles and brings new hope for the nation’s badminton future. With youth and potential on her side, Putri KW is expected to reach even greater heights in the years to come.