Wonder Boy Rudy Hartono
Around the world, debates often arise over legends like Muhammad Ali and Pelé. But in Indonesia, one name stands above the rest—Rudy Hartono Kurniawan, the eight-time All-England men’s singles champion and one of badminton’s greatest figures.
Born on August 18, 1949, in Nio Hap Liang, Rudy grew up in a large family with seven siblings. Like many children, he explored various sports—swimming as a child, volleyball in high school, and football in his senior years. He also enjoyed roller skating, but badminton was his true passion. By nine, his talent was evident, though it wasn’t until he was 11 that his father recognized his potential.
Rudy began his badminton journey at the Oke Badminton Association, founded by his father in 1951. When the club dissolved in 1964, he moved to the Surya Naga Group, where he honed his skills. He adhered to four key principles: speed, proper breathing, consistency, and aggression. His training regimen was grueling—long-distance running, jumping drills, and even practice on rough asphalt roads every Sunday morning.
As his confidence grew, he competed in tournaments across Surabaya, often playing under the glow of Petromax lamps. Later, he trained at PB Oke, his father’s club, where his routine became more structured. One of his favorite training spots was a railway warehouse, where he trained late into the evening, refueling at nearby food stalls.
Rudy later joined the Rajawali group, which produced many international players. While he valued his father’s guidance, he credited the National Centralized Training for the Thomas Cup in 1965 for refining his technical and tactical skills. By 1967, he was part of Indonesia’s Thomas Cup-winning team.
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At just 18, Rudy claimed his first All-England title in 1968, defeating Malaysian star Tan Aik Huang 15-12, 15-9. Though his rival Svend Pri took the title in 1975, Rudy reclaimed it in 1976. He helped secure Thomas Cup victories in 1970, 1973, and 1976 and even won the men’s singles championship in 1980. His record of seven consecutive All-England titles from 1968 to 1976 remains legendary.
Rudy’s playing style combined speed, power, and precision. He covered the court effortlessly and knew when to rally or attack. Once on the offensive, his opponents stood little chance. His resilience earned him the nickname “Wonder Boy” in England, as fans believed he could always mount a comeback.
Many sought to uncover the secret to his success. His answer was simple: “PRAY.” Rudy believed prayer strengthened his mind and faith. It wasn’t just a pre-match ritual; he prayed throughout games, thanking God for every point. For him, winning or losing was God’s will, and defeat never shook his spirit.
The All England Championships held a special magic for Rudy, but one loss still haunted him—the 1973 Thomas Cup match in Jakarta, where he fell to Svend Pri. Despite Indonesia’s dominant 8-1 victory over Denmark, Rudy called it the most heart-wrenching loss of his career.
Stuart Wyatt, president of the British Badminton Association, declared Rudy Hartono the greatest player of his era. His dominance, tactics, and performance surpassed those of his peers.
With eight All-England titles, Rudy Hartono remains one of the most extraordinary sportsmen in history.
Also read: https://orangenews9.com/mindful-memoirs-7/
