Badminton enthusiasts will once again witness the stellar performance of one of Indonesia’s finest shuttlers, Hendra Setiawan. After playing his last tournament in early 2025, following his retirement announcement, he has now confirmed his participation in the 2025 BWF World Senior Championships in Pattaya, Thailand, scheduled for September 7–14.
His comeback to the badminton stage proves that his passion for the sport still burns brightly. For fans, this is a nostalgic reunion with a champion who once brought Indonesia’s badminton to international glory. So, who exactly is Hendra Setiawan? Here is a complete introduction to this legendary badminton champion.
Who is Hendra Setiawan?
Hendra Setiawan was born on August 25, 1984, in Pemalang, Central Java, Indonesia. He is the youngest child in his family. His father, a badminton coach at a local club in Pemalang, sparked Hendra’s interest in badminton when he saw him play.
He began his formal training at the Sinar Mutiara Tegal club, where he built his foundational badminton skills. Later, he moved to Jakarta and enrolled at Sekolah Olahraga Ragunan, a sports school dedicated to nurturing athletes, where he refined his abilities to become a professional badminton player.
Journey in Badminton
Like other children, Hendra’s first ambition was actually to become a doctor. However, after winning a school championship, his passion for badminton grew stronger, turning it into a serious dream to pursue.
In 2001, he began his international career at the Asian Junior Championships and won bronze medals in the boys’ team and mixed doubles events. As his career progressed, he decided to specialize in men’s doubles after realizing there was a greater potential for success in the future in that category.
Hendra’s first partner was Markis Kido. They made a strong debut by winning a silver medal at the 2003 Asian Championships. Their partnership brought numerous victories, including achieving the world No. 1 ranking in 2007 and securing major titles. They also won gold at the 2010 Asian Games, adding to their list of achievements.
In 2012, Hendra Setiawan began a new chapter with Mohammad Ahsan. Known as “The Daddies” due to their relatively older age among other athletes but consistent top-level performance, the pair became three-time world champions—in 2013, 2015, and 2019. They also clinched prestigious titles such as the All England Open (2013, 2014), the Asian Games (2014), and the BWF World Tour Finals (2019).
Before retiring, Hendra briefly partnered with Malaysia’s Tan Boon Heong in 2017. He officially announced his retirement from professional badminton after a brilliant 35-year career, with his last performance at the Indonesia Masters 2025.
Return of a Legend
It turns out, “retirement” does not mean an ending for Hendra Setiawan. He is set to make his comeback at the 2025 BWF World Senior Championships at the Eastern National Sports Training Centre in Pattaya, Thailand.
This time, he will compete in two categories—men’s doubles and mixed doubles—teaming up with legendary players Tony Gunawan and Debby Susanto. With these badminton icons on court, fans can expect an exciting tournament and a rare opportunity to witness the epic performances of some of Indonesia’s greatest badminton athletes once again.
Hendra Setiawan has carved an illustrious legacy throughout his professional badminton career with multiple world championship titles and prestigious tournament victories, cementing his name among Indonesia’s all-time greats. His comeback is a testament to his unwavering passion and the enduring spirit in badminton.
