Indonesian badminton players have a different kind of spark. They train with limited resources and still manage to win international tournaments. It’s really quite inspiring to see great badminton players like
- Anthony Sinisuka Ginting
- Gregoria Mariska Tunjung
- Fajar Alfian
- Apriyani Rahayu
- Rinov Rivaldy
In this blog, we will catch a glimpse into their career and achievements with the aim of taking inspiration from their hard work.
Anthony Sinisuka Ginting : Indonesia’s Badminton Prodigy
Date of Birth: 20 October, 1996
Dominant Hand: Right
Category: Men’s Singles
Career:
Anthony Sinisuka Ginting found his passion for badminton in his kindergarten years. His father taught and encouraged him to participate in local tournaments. He later joined PB SGS PLN in Bandung, West Java, to get more serious about his badminton skills. He joined the national badminton team of Indonesia at the age of 16. His first senior-level win was the Asian Games in 2018. He is also the first Youth Olympic badminton medalist to win a bronze medal in the 2020 Olympics.
Playing Style:
Ginting is known for his aggressive and fast-paced playing style. He plays powerful smashes that are hard to return. He uses quick movements around the court which makes it challenging for opponents to keep up. He dictates the play with a strong flat game and deceptive net skills. He is a strong offensive player.
Strengths:
- Explosive Smashes
- Deceptive Net Play
- Strong Flat Drives
- Speed and agility
Achievements:
2019: Runner Up in BWF World Tour Finals for Men’s Singles
2022: Gold Medal in Singapore Open for Men’s Singles
2022: Gold Medal in Hylo Open for Men’s Singles
2023: Gold Medal in Singapore Open for Men’s Singles
2023: Gold Medal in Asian Championships for Men’s Singles
Gregoria Mariska Tunjung: Indonesia’s Rising Badminton Star
Date of Birth: 11 August, 1999
Dominant Hand: Right
Category: Women’s Singles
Career:
Gregoria Mariska Tunjung started her badminton career at the PB Mutiara Cardinal Club. She was soon selected to be a part of the Indonesian national badminton team in 2013. She won the girl’s singles World Junior Championships in 2017. She was even given the honor of being the captain of the Indonesia women’s team at the Asia Team Championships in 2022. She led her team to victory.
Playing Style:
Tunjung has a versatile and tactical playing style. She combines precise shots with clever placements. She uses a variety of strokes and tactics to confuse opponents so they cannot take the winning shot.
Strengths:
- Deceptive Shots
- Ability to adapt and change game strategy
- Consistent performance under pressure
- Control over shuttle placement
Achievements:
2017: Gold Medal in BWF World Junior Championships for Girl’s Singles
2017: Gold Medal in Banthongyord Junior International for Girl’s Singles
2018: Gold Medal in Finnish Open for Women’s Singles
2023: Gold Medal in Japan Masters for Women’s Singles
2023: Gold Medal in Spain Masters for Women’s Singles
Fajar Alfian: Indonesia’s Men’s Doubles Maestro
Date of Birth: 7 March, 1995
Dominant Hand: Right
Category: Men’s Doubles
Career:
Fajar Alfian is an excellent Indonesian badminton player who has won several games for his national team in the men’s doubles category. He even received the Most Improved Player of The Year Award with Muhammad Rian Ardianto in 2022 from the BWF Awards. In December 2022, he was ranked as the number 1 player in the Men’s Doubles category by BWF. He is currently associated with the SGS PLN Bandung sports club.
Playing Style:
Alfian is a doubles specialist. He has an aggressive playing style, but he sets the pace for his partner. He has excellent net play. That is why he dominates the front court while his partner gets a chance to defend the rear. He plays well-timed attacks so their team can set the pace of the rally.
Strengths:
- Dominant at the net
- Powerful attacking game
- Synchronized Teamwork
Achievements:
2022: Gold Medal in Indonesia Masters for Men’s Doubles
2022: Gold Medal in Denmark Open for Men’s Doubles
2023: Gold Medal in Malaysia Open for Men’s Doubles
2023: Gold Medal in All England Open for Men’s Doubles
2024: Gold Medal in All England Open for Men’s Doubles
Apriyani Rahayu: From Humble Beginnings to Olympic Gold
Date of Birth: 29 April, 1998
Dominant Hand: Right
Category: Women’s Doubles
Career:
Apriyani Rahayu comes from a tough background. Her father encouraged her to channel her childhood rage into badminton. Her mother, being a badminton enthusiast, always supported her. She used to play with wooden rackets until her family could afford real ones.
She professionally participated in a regional competition at the age of 9. At the age of 13, she was recruited by PB Jaya Raya Jakarta club to play at the international level. She then participated and won several junior-level games before competing at the senior level. She soared so high that she won the 2020 Olympic Games in the Women’s Doubles category.
Playing Style:
Rahayu shows a blend of power, finesse, and deception on the court. She combines her shark attacks with excellent defense skills to win rallies. She mostly plays at the backcourt because of their aggressive strokes that help win rallies.
Strengths:
- Strong defensive skills
- Powerful smashes and drives
- Dominantes the forecourt
- Excellent teamwork
Achievements:
2020: Gold Medal in Olympic Games for Women’s Doubles
2021: Gold Medal in SEA Games for Women’s Doubles
2022: Gold Medal in Singapore Open for Women’s Doubles
2022: Gold Medal in Malaysia Open for Women’s Doubles
2023: Gold Medal in Hong Kong Open for Women’s Doubles
Rinov Rivaldy: Master Strategist in Mixed Doubles Badminton
Date of Birth: 12 November, 1999
Dominant Hand: Right
Category: Mixed Doubles
Career:
Rinov Rivaldy mostly plays doubles badminton. He has a history of participating in several famous tournaments. He has even bagged several gold medals in them. He is currently (as of 16 April 2024) ranked at the 15th position worldwide for the mixed doubles category with Pitha Haningtyas. He started his international career with the Asian and World Junior Championships and then moved on to participate in the SEA Games at the senior level.
Playing Style:
Rivaldy has a strategic approach to each match. He focuses on control so he can establish his presence at the net. He catches his opponents’ weaknesses and uses them to apply pressure from the front court. He is also known for his quick interceptions of difficult shots.
Strengths:
- Strategic gameplay
- Dominant net play
- Strong focus during critical moments
- Co-ordinated Teamwork
Achievements:
2017: Gold Medal in World Junior Championships for Mixed Doubles
2018: Gold Medal in Indonesia Masters for Mixed Doubles
2017: Bronze Medal in SEA Games for Mixed Doubles
2021: Gold Medal in Spain Masters for Mixed Doubles
2024: Gold Medal in Spain Masters for Mixed Doubles
Final Thoughts
It was time we talked about how we don’t need special treatment to learn the game. With proper dedication and willpower like these players, you can also excel at badminton. These and other Indonesian players train hard from their childhood to achieve international fame at an early age. But it’s never too late to begin. You can start at any age as long as you have the agility, flexibility, and dedication of a real badminton player.
