History Beckons Indonesian Veterans
Not since Li Yongbo/Tian Bingyi has a men’s doubles pair won three Yonex All England Open titles.
· PREM KUMAR
The Chinese duo achieved the feat in 1987, 1988 and 1991. Korean Ha Tae Kwon won his treble with different partners – Kang Kyung Jin in 1997 and then Kim Dong Moon in 2000 and 2002.
This year, seasoned Indonesians Mohammad Ahsan/Hendra Setiawan have the chance to break a 29-year duck at badminton’s oldest competition. The three-time world champions first stood atop the podium at the 15,800-seater Arena Birmingham in 2014 and did so again last year despite only being the sixth seeds.
Next week, they will kick off their challenge knowing a place in the history books awaits them if they successfully defend their precious gong.