Leo Rolly Carnando and Bagas Maulana Survive First Round Test at 2025 Asian Badminton Championships

Leo Rolly Carnando and Bagas Maulana secured a hard-fought win in the first round of the 2025 Asian Badminton Championships at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre Gymnasium, China.

Facing the lower-ranked Japanese pair Takumi Nomura/Yuichi Shimogami, the Indonesian duo struggled with rhythm and coordination but managed to emerge victorious with scores of 22-20, 21-17.

The match was far from easy, as Leo/Bagas found themselves unsettled by their opponents’ gameplay, which disrupted their usual tactical flow.

“We are certainly not satisfied with today’s performance. Individually, we need to improve and communicate more with each other,” said Leo to PBSI after the match.

One key issue was the rotational pattern on court — where Leo, who typically plays the playmaker role, was forced into taking more attacking and coverage positions, leading to breakdowns in tempo and spacing.

Despite the shaky start, Leo and Bagas will aim to bounce back stronger in the next round, sharpening both their strategy and synergy.