SHAH ALAM: Indonesia's rising badminton star Alwi Farhan Alhasny makes no bones about singling out Malaysia's former world No, 1 Lee Chong Wei as his idol for his fast and aggressive style of play.
The lanky 2023 world junior champion said Chong Wei, a three-time Olympic silver medallist, is his source of inspiration in the sport because they have a similar style of play.
"(My) foreign idol? Chong Wei. I think I can (play) like Chong Wei because I like to play an attacking game. If in Indonesia, just like Anthony Sinisuka Ginting," he said on the opening day of the Badminton Asia Team Championships (BATC) at the Setia City Convention Centre here today.
Alwi Farhan contributed a valuable point in Indonesia's 5-0 Group D win over Saudi Arabia after defeating Muath Alghamdi 21-2, 21-10.
Indonesia will meet the United Arab Emirates tomorrow before completing their group fixtures against South Korea on Thursday.
Alwi Farhan is also thankful that the Indonesian Badminton Association (PSSI) had selected him to represent the country in the BATC.
The 18-year-old admitted it was not easy to transition from junior to senior badminton.
"Last year, I was in the Indonesian Sea Games team. However, I did not play a match because Indonesia had already won. So, I am happy (today) as I won a point for Indonesia.
"However, playing at the senior level is no easy feat as it demands physical and mental strength," he added. -- BERNAMA