Indonesian men’s doubles pair Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin secured the gold medal at the Asian Games 2026 after defeating China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang 18-21, 21-13, 21-18 at the Ichinomiya City Municipal Gymnasium on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026. The victory capped a tumultuous journey that involved the pair being split up by coaches, suffering long-term injuries, and reuniting prior to the multisport event.
The Split, Injuries, and Reunited Partnership
Coach Aryono Miranat separated Leo and Daniel in mid-2024 following a period of stagnant results after their Indonesia Masters 2024 title. The Indonesia Open 2024 marked their final match together before Daniel partnered with Muhaad Shohibul Fikri and Leo teamed up with Bagas Maulana. Daniel’s progress stalled when he sustained an injury that sidelined him for nearly a year. Following his recovery and amid inconsistent performances from Leo and Bagas, the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) paired Leo and Daniel back together for the 2026 Thailand Open, where they immediately captured the title.
Securing Team Gold at Aichi-Nagoya
Leo and Daniel played a critical role in Indonesia’s team gold medal campaign at the 2026 Asian Games, contributing key victories despite dropping a single match in the team event. Their sole team defeat occurred in the quarterfinals against Malaysia’s Aaron Chia and Kai Wun Tee, where they lost 21-17, 16-21, 13-21. They bounced back in the semifinals by defeating Thailand’s Chaloempon Charoenkitamorn and Worrapol Thongsa-Nga 21-15, 21-13. In the final against China, with Indonesia trailing 1-2, Leo and Daniel defeated He Ji Ting and Liu Yi 23-21, 21-10 to level the score at 2-2, paving the way for the team victory.
Understanding the Individual Draw to Gold
Entering the individual tournament, Leo and Daniel advanced to the semifinals to face South Korea’s world number one pair, Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae. The Indonesian duo defeated the top-ranked Koreans in straight games, 21-11, 21-14. That setup the final clash against China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang, where Leo and Daniel recovered from dropping the first game to win 18-21, 21-13, 21-18, claiming both the individual title and a sweep of team and individual gold medals for the partnership.
Frequently Asked Questions About Leo and Daniel’s Asian Games Run
Who did Leo Rolly Carnando and Daniel Marthin defeat in the individual final?
They defeated China’s Liang Weikeng and Wang Chang with a score of 18-21, 21-13, 21-18.
When were Leo and Daniel temporarily separated?
The coaching staff split the pair in mid-2024 following the Indonesia Open 2024 due to a period of stagnant performance.
Which top-ranked pair did Leo and Daniel beat in the individual bracket?
They defeated South Korea’s world number one pair, Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae, 21-11, 21-14 in the semifinals.
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