Rudy Hartono


Rudy Hartono Kurniawan is a former Indonesian badminton star who won the men's singles title at the prestigious All-England Championship eight times, seven times consecutively and at World Championship in 1980 on his only attempt at this title. He is one of the most famous players in the history of the sport and is considered to be one of the greatest badminton players of all time.

Personal life

Hartono was born on 18 August 1949 as Nio Hap Liang in Surabaya, the third of eight children. His sister Jeanne Utama Dewi is a five-time national champion and former Indonesia Uber Cup team member. The young Hartono embraced many types of sports – athletics, volleyball, football, and even roller skating – but his athletic path soon led him towards badminton. Rudy married Jane Anwar in 1976 and they have two children.

Badminton career

Hartono joined the National Training Center in 1965 in order to help his national team in the upcoming Thomas Cup. As a member of the 1966-1967 Thomas Cup squad, he won all of his matches, but Indonesia was beaten by Malaysia in a highly controversial final in which play was suspended due to the unruly crowd.
A year later, at his first try at the All England Championships, the 18-year-old Indonesian became the youngest ever champion of the tournament, beating Tan Aik Huang from Malaysia who had been the winner two years earlier. From then on, Hartono dominated the event like very few had before, winning eight titles in all, from 1968 to 1976. His eight titles at the All England earned Hartono a mention in the Guinness Book of Records.
Hartono defeated Svend Pri in the finals of the 1972 Munich Games in which badminton was presented as a demonstration sport. Hartono was active in Thomas Cup competition and played for his country at the event from 1967 to 1982. 1970, 1973, The 1976, and 1979 Thomas Cup were resounding successes for Hartono and his team, with Indonesia sweeping four straight titles.

Post-retirement

Rudy became involved with the Indonesian Badminton Association, holding different positions such as Chairman of Development Affairs until 2006. He is currently a member of PBSI’s Board of Honour. Hartono also played an active role within the Badminton World Federation. He was a member of the Council in 1985-1986, and later from 1994 to 2009. Hartono’s image and reputation led the United Nations Development Programme to appoint him as a Goodwill Ambassador for Indonesia.

Achievements

Olympic Games (demonstration)

Men's Singles
Men's Singles
Men's singles
YearTournamentOpponentScoreResult
1968All England Tan Aik Huang15–12, 15–9 Champion
1968Singapore Pesta Darmadi9–15, 15–7, 10–15 Runner-up
1968Northern Indian Muljadi15–2, 15–10 Champion
1969All England Darmadi15–1, 15–3 Champion
1969US Open Muljadi15–9, 15–12 Champion
1969Canadian Open Sture Johnsson15–11, 15–1 Champion
1969Singapore Open Muljadi Champion
1970All England Svend Pri15–7, 15–1 Champion
1971Western Indian Muljadi15–11, 15–12 Champion
1971All England Muljadi15–1, 15–5 Champion
1971Canadian Open Ippei Kojima15–4, 15–7 Champion
1971Denmark Open Ippei Kojima14–18, 15–14, 15–11 Champion
1971US Open Muljadi8–15, 9–15 Runner-up
1972All England Svend Pri15–9, 15–4 Champion
1972Jakarta Open lie Sumirat15–4, 15–5 Champion
1973All England Christian Hadinata15–4, 15–2 Champion
1973Denmark Open Flemming Delfs17–14, 15–12 Champion
1974All England Punch Gunalan8–15, 15–9, 15–10 Champion
1975All England Svend Pri11–15, 14–17 Runner-up
1975Denmark Open Svend Pri12–15, 15–0, 15–7 Champion
1976All England Liem Swie King15–7, 15–7 Champion
1978All England Liem Swie King10–15, 3–15 Runner-up
1980English Masters Liem Swie King11–15, 3–15 Runner-up
1980Swedish Open Prakash Padukone15–9, 12–15, 1–15 Runner-up
1981Japan Open Lius Pongoh15–9, 15–8 Champion

Men's doubles
YearTournamentPartnerOpponentScoreResult
1968Northern Indian Indratno Tan Yee Khan
Punch Gunalan		3–15, 15–6, 15–7 Champion
1969Singapore Open Indratno Yeo Ah Seng
Lee Wah Chin		 Champion
1971Western Indian Indra Gunawan Muljadi
Sumiratta		18–13, 15–12 Champion
1971All England Indra Gunawan Ng Boon Bee
Punch Gunalan		5–15, 3–15 Runner-up
1971Denmark Open Indra Gunawan Ng Boon Bee
Punch Gunalan		15–11, 4–15, 8–15 Runner-up

Mixed doubles
YearTournamentPartnerOpponentScoreResult
1969Western Indian Rafla Latif Indra Gunawan
Sunila Ape		15–12, 15–13 Champion

Awards