By Amas Mustafa Matondang, Year 11
Being a child athlete never crossed the mind of a young Hendra Setiawan, but at the age of six, life had other plans for him. As time passed, he embraced the sport of badminton, worked tirelessly, and became one of the greatest doubles players seen in the sport of badminton. His quiet determination and relentless dedication are his unique traits, making him a role model for many aspiring badminton players and athletes alike.
One of the many traits of Hendra Setiawan is his humility and calm demeanor, both on and off the court. Coaches, teammates, and former partners have all frequently praised his work ethic, discipline, and capacity for great performance even under pressure. Hendra continuously maintains his composure and allows his accomplishments to speak for themselves.
Among his trophy cabinet, one trophy, the 2007 World Championship title stands out as being one of the most memorable. At the age of 23, this was his first world title victory, becoming a surreal moment for him. However, one achievement tops even the World Championship and this is the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where he won the gold medal in the badminton men’s doubles category along with his partner Markis Kido to bring Indonesia their only gold medal of the tournament. The victory was especially special due to his prior struggles against Olympic opponents, losing countless times before securing the victory on the grandest stage.
Throughout his career, Hendraw Setiawan encountered many challenges, namely injuries. Hendra was so driven that he frequently played despite discomfort and pushed himself to the edge. This can also be a weakness though as he never mentions an injury, and relentlessly pushes himself, usually causing him more harm than good. One such incident occurred during the 2010 Asian Games, when he suffered a torn knee ligament, however he played on and ultimately won the title.
Throughout the years, Hendra has had some legendary partners, with each of them bringing out a new and different strength in Hendra’s game. His ability to adapt according to the flow of the game- excelling at both the front and the back of the court- makes him an invaluable partner. Over his career, Hendra has amassed an impressive collection of titles, including the 2007, 2013, 2015, and 2019 World Championships; the 2008 Olympics; the Thomas Cup in 2020; and the most prestigious All-England title in 2014 and 2019.
Despite contemplating retirement after a disappointing performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Hendra continued to play at the highest level with his partner Mohammad Ahsan well into his late 30s. However, on January 23rd, 2025 at the age of 40, he finally decided to retire, choosing to spend more time with his family. His wife and children, who were always his biggest supporters, were happy to have him home more often.
As he steps away from the professional stage, Hendra remains committed to badminton, currently coaching the up-and-coming men’s doubles pair of Sabar Karyaman Gutama and Moh Reza Pahlevi Isfahani. Whether as a mentor, coach, or ambassador for the sport, his impact will continue to be felt for generations.
