Ginpaul Sonna Stuns Former World No. 15 Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo to Reach Pontianak International Challenge Final
India’s Ginpaul Sonna defeated former World No. 15 Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo in straight games to reach the Pontianak International Challenge 2026 final.
India’s Ginpaul Sonna has produced the biggest result of his young career, defeating Indonesian home favourite and former World No. 15 Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo in straight games to reach the men’s singles final of the POLYTRON Pontianak International Challenge 2026.
The Indian youngster delivered a composed and dominant performance against the 10th seed, winning 21-19, 21-10 to book his place in the championship match.
For Sonna, the victory represents another major step forward after a breakthrough week in Indonesia. The Indian has consistently overcome higher-ranked opposition throughout the tournament and now stands just one victory away from claiming an international title.
His run has also made him one of the young Indian badminton players to watch closely in the coming years.
The semi-final against Chico was always expected to be a significant test. Chico entered the contest with considerably more experience at the international level and had previously reached the top 15 in the BWF World Rankings. He is also a former winner at the Super 300 and Super 500 levels, making him one of the most experienced players in the Pontianak draw.
Sonna, however, showed no signs of being overwhelmed by the occasion. The first game was closely fought, with neither player able to establish a decisive advantage for long. The Indian eventually held his nerve in the closing stages to take the game 21-19.
That gave Sonna the crucial advantage, and he used it brilliantly. The second game saw the Indian take control of the contest. His confidence grew as the game progressed, while Chico struggled to find the same level of resistance he had shown in the opening game.
Sonna eventually raced through the second game 21-10, completing a straight-game victory and sending the Indonesian home favourite out of the tournament.
Sonna's semi-final victory did not come out of nowhere. The Indian has produced a series of impressive performances throughout the Pontianak International Challenge.
Earlier in the tournament, he secured a comeback victory over Chinese Taipei's Huang Yu, winning 16-21, 21-5, 22-20 to advance to the round of 16. That result already demonstrated his ability to recover from difficult situations and maintain his composure under pressure.
Sonna then continued his run with another straight-game victory, establishing himself among the leading contenders in the men's singles draw. His quarter-final brought another major challenge against Indonesian Bismo Raya Oktora, the World No. 85 and third seed.
Instead of allowing the higher-ranked opponent to dictate proceedings, Sonna produced one of his most convincing performances of the tournament. He defeated Oktora 21-10, 21-13, securing his place in the semi-finals.
The result meant that Sonna had eliminated a seeded Indonesian player before facing another home favourite in the last four.
From promising youngster to title contender
The manner of Sonna's progression through the tournament is perhaps as significant as the final result. Against Huang Yu, he had to come from behind.
Against Bismo Raya Oktora, he dominated from the beginning. And against Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo, he combined composure in a tight opening game with complete control in the second. That progression indicates a player growing in confidence as the tournament has gone on. The Pontianak International Challenge has therefore become an important platform for Sonna to demonstrate that he can compete against players with significantly higher rankings and greater experience.
His victory over Chico is particularly noteworthy because of the Indonesian's pedigree. Chico has previously competed at the highest levels of the BWF World Tour and reached a career-high ranking of World No. 15. Defeating a player with that résumé, and doing so in straight games, gives Sonna an important confidence boost heading into the final.
Sonna will now face Richie Duta Richardo in the Pontianak International Challenge final. The championship match will provide the Indian with an opportunity to complete a remarkable tournament run with his biggest title yet. Having already defeated multiple Indonesian opponents on their home soil, Sonna will have to overcome one final challenge.
The Indian has already demonstrated that he can handle pressure, recover from setbacks and produce his best badminton against higher-ranked opposition. The final will demand another complete performance.
Sonna's run in Pontianak is important not only because of the potential title but also because of what it could represent for Indian men's singles badminton. India has traditionally produced strong players in the men's singles discipline, and the emergence of another young talent capable of defeating established international opponents is an encouraging development.
Sonna's performances this week have offered glimpses of that potential.
His victory over Bismo Raya Oktora showed his ability to dominate a higher-ranked opponent, while the win over Chico demonstrated that he can maintain his composure against an experienced player with a much stronger résumé.
Now he has the opportunity to go one step further. The Pontianak International Challenge 2026 final will be Sonna's biggest moment of the tournament.
He has already defeated a former World No. 15.
He has already knocked out a seeded Indonesian player.
Now, one final victory stands between Ginpaul Sonna and a memorable international title.
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