men's doubles pair Sabar Karyaman Gutama/Muhammad Reza Pahlevi Isfahani are maximizing their preparations for the 2026 Asian Championships (BAC) by undergoing joint training at the PBSI Cipayung National Training Center in Jakarta to improve their game quality in the face of tough competition at the Yellow Continent level.
The non-national training pair chose to join training at Cipayung after the Eid holiday because they felt the training environment at the national training center provided quality sparring partners that matched their level.
"We started training here around three days before Eid. We applied to train at the national training center and were well-received. The quality of our play, speed, and training intensity are very helpful because the level is balanced," Sabar told reporters at the PBSI National Training Center.
He added that the opportunity to train with national training players made their preparation program for the tournament more optimal, especially in maintaining the tempo of the game and consistent performance on the field.
Sabar/Reza's coach, Hendra Setiawan, also revealed that the facilities and quality of training opponents at the national training center are important factors in improving his team's technical and physical readiness ahead of the tournament.
"In terms of training, it's actually quite comprehensive. The important thing is that they get plenty of sparring with players of a similar level. That can help improve the speed of their game," said Hendra.
