78 Explore | Interview
INTERVIEW
© Yunaidi Joepoet
2017 was a stellar year for Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo , and 2018 is not shaping up too badly , either .
After collecting seven Superseries titles in a year , the Indonesian badminton doubles specialist was named the Badminton World Federation ( BWF ) Male Player of the Year 2017 alongside his current partner Marcus Fernaldi Gideon . This remarkable achievement has been followed by three titles so far in 2018 , including the prestigious YONEX All England Open .
Kevin , who has been playing badminton since he was three years old , has reached what most players in his sport can only dream of – number one in the men ’ s doubles world rankings . And he is not stopping there ; he now has his sights set on winning at the 2018 Asian Games , especially as the President of Indonesia , Joko Widodo ( also known as Jokowi ), has personally asked him and Marcus to bring home a gold medal .
President Jokowi , who met Kevin and his partner Marcus after their All England Open victory , motivated the pair to continue their excellent work and to make Indonesia proud . Having the Indonesian leader cheering him on at the Asian Games , to be held in Jakarta and Palembang from August 18 to September 2 , has naturally elevated Kevin ’ s spirits even more . “ I don ’ t want to disappoint him ,” he says .
Aside from the Asian Games , Kevin also aims to triumph at the Olympics and the BWF World Championships . However , his next big tournament is the 2018 TOTAL BWF Thomas Cup , to be held in Bangkok from May 20 to 27 . It has been 16 years since Indonesia last won the Cup , and , without a doubt , Kevin will be under pressure to contribute a point for his country .