# Susi Susanti

Lucia Francisca "Susi" Susanti Haditono (Chinese: 王蓮香; pinyin: Wáng Liánxiāng; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Ông Liân-hiang; born 11 February 1971) is an Indonesian retired badminton player. Relatively small of stature, she combined quick and graceful movement with elegant shotmaking technique, and is regarded by many as one of the greatest women's singles players of all time. She was the inaugural Olympic women's badminton champion and the first Indonesian Olympic gold medalist.

## Career

Susanti won the women's singles gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain and the bronze medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, United States. She retired from the world badminton circuit not long after her marriage, in February 1997, to Alan Budikusuma, who had also won a badminton singles gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics. Susanti was the most dominant women's singles player in the first half of the 1990s, winning the All England Open in 1990, 1991, 1993 and 1994, the World Badminton Grand Prix Finals five consecutive times from 1990 to 1994 as well as in 1996, and the IBF World Championships in 1993. She is the only female player to hold the Olympic, World Championship, and All-England singles titles simultaneously. She won the Japan Open three times and the Indonesian Open six times. She also won numerous Badminton Grand Prix series events and five Badminton World Cups. She led the Indonesian team to victory over perennial champion China in the 1994 and 1996 Uber Cup (women's world team) competitions. All of this came during a relatively strong period in women's international badminton. Her chief competitors early in her prime years were the Chinese players Tang Jiuhong and Huang Hua, and, later, China's Ye Zhaoying and the Korean Bang Soo-hyun.
Susanti was inducted into the International Badminton Federation (IBF, currently BWF) Hall of Fame in May 2004, and received the Herbert Scheele Trophy in 2002. She lit the flame at the 2018 Asian Games opening ceremony.

## Playing style

Susanti was an extremely durable defensive player who liked to instigate long rallies to wear down her opponent's stamina and invite errors. That style was in contrast to most of the top female players of her time such as Bang Soo-hyun, Tang Jiuhong, Huang Hua, and Ye Zhaoying, who employed a more aggressive style.
Susanti's matches against top-tier opponents were characteristically slow-paced and long, especially in the era of 15 points system when a player could only earn a point when she or he held the serve. Susanti relied on deep clears to the back line, limiting the chance of a fast-paced exchange, mixed with tight drop shots, forcing her opponent to cover the entire court. Susanti frequently covered her backhand side with overhead forehands, by relying on her quickness and back-arching suppleness. Relatively short, she often stretched her legs very wide to take low shots at the corners or away from her position. Developed from training, this leg-stretching, almost balletic maneuver became a signature pose which sometimes ended with a full leg split. In the later years of her career, Susanti incorporated more smashing into her repertoire, enough to throw off opponents expecting only a game of attrition.

## Personal life

She is married to Alan Budikusuma (Chinese: 魏仁芳), a men's badminton Olympic gold medalist (also in 1992) and one of the top men's players in the history of the sport, a former Chinese Indonesian badminton player who excelled at the world level from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s. Together they have three children, Laurencia Averina, born 1999, Albertus Edward, born 2000, Sebastianus Fredrick, born 2003. When the eldest daughter was born, Indonesia was rocked by a series of civil outbreaks and violence. Susanti decided to name her daughter Laurencia Averina Wiratama, which means “peace”, hoping that she would bring about peace in the nation.

## In popular culture

A biopic in Indonesian based on Susanti's life story, entitled Susi Susanti: Love All directed by Sim F with Laura Basuki playing the titular role and Dion Wiyoko as Alan Budikusuma was released on 24 October 2019.

## Awards and nominations

| Award | Year | Category | Result |
| Government of Indonesia Awards | 1992 | Tanda Kehormatan Bintang Jasa Utama | Placed |
| International Badminton Federation Awards | 2002 | Herbert Scheele Trophy | Inducted |
| International Badminton Federation Awards | 2004 | Badminton Hall of Fame | Inducted |

## Achievements
### Olympic Games

Women's singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1992 | Pavelló de la Mar Bella, Barcelona, Spain | Bang Soo-hyun | 5–11, 11–5, 11–3 | Gold |
| 1996 | GSU Sports Arena, Atlanta, United States | Kim Ji-hyun | 11–4, 11–1 | Bronze |

### World Championships

Women's singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1991 | Brøndby Arena, Copenhagen, Denmark | Tang Jiuhong | 4–11, 1–11 | Bronze |
| 1993 | National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England | Bang Soo-hyun | 7–11, 11–9, 11–3 | Gold |
| 1995 | Malley Sports Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland | Ye Zhaoying | 11–5, 8–11, 2–11 | Bronze |

### World Cup

Women's singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1989 | Guangzhou Gymnasium, Guangzhou, China | Han Aiping | 11–5, 11–4 | Gold |
| 1990 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | Sarwendah Kusumawardhani | 5–11, 11–1, 11–12 | Silver |
| 1991 | Macau Forum, Macau | Huang Hua | 3–11, 2–11 | Bronze |
| 1993 | Indira Gandhi Arena, New Delhi, India | Lim Xiaoqing | 11–7, 11–5 | Gold |
| 1994 | Phan Đình Phùng Indoor Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | Bang Soo-hyun | 12–9, 11–6 | Gold |
| 1995 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | Ye Zhaoying | 9–12, 11–2, 9–12 | Silver |
| 1996 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | Wang Chen | 11–7, 11–4 | Gold |
| 1997 | Among Rogo Sports Hall, Yogyakarta, Indonesia | Ye Zhaoying | 11–8, 11–5 | Gold |

### Asian Games

Women's singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1990 | Beijing Gymnasium, Beijing, China | Tang Jiuhong | 11–7, 1–11, 7–11 | Bronze |
| 1994 | Tsuru Memorial Gymnasium, Hiroshima, Japan | Hisako Mizui | 4–11, 5–11 | Bronze |

### SEA Games

Women's singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1987 | Kuningan Hall, Jakarta, Indonesia | Elizabeth Latief | 5–11, 9–11 | Silver |
| 1989 | Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Sarwendah Kusumawardhani | 11–7, 11–6 | Gold |
| 1991 | Camp Crame Gymnasium, Manila, Philippines | Sarwendah Kusumawardhani | 5–11, 11–8, 11–2 | Gold |
| 1995 | Gymnasium 3, 700th Anniversary Sport Complex, Chiang Mai, Thailand | Somharuthai Jaroensiri | 11–4, 11–0 | Gold |

### World Junior Championships

The Bimantara World Junior Championships was an international invitation badminton tournament for junior players. It was held in Jakarta, Indonesia from 1987 to 1991.
Girls' singles
| Year | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1987 | Jakarta, Indonesia | Lee Jung-mi | 11–6, 8–11, 11–6 | Gold |
| 1988 | Jakarta, Indonesia | Huang Ying | 11–5, 11–2 | Gold |
Girls' doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1987 | Jakarta, Indonesia | Lilik Sudarwati | Gil Young-ah Lee Jung-mi | 9–15, 15–6, 15–5 | Gold |
| 1988 | Jakarta, Indonesia | Lilik Sudarwati | Bang Soo-hyun Shon Hye-joo | 14–18, 18–14, 15–4 | Gold |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1987 | Jakarta, Indonesia | Ardy Wiranata | Ricky Subagja Lilik Sudarwati | 7–15, 15–7, 15–9 | Gold |

### IBF World Grand Prix (39 titles, 13 runners-up)

The World Badminton Grand Prix was sanctioned by the International Badminton Federation from 1983 to 2006.
Women's singles
| Year | Tournament | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1989 | All England Open | Li Lingwei | 8–11, 4–11 | Runner-up |
| 1989 | Chinese Taipei Open | Christine Gandrup | 11–8, 3–11, 7–11 | Runner-up |
| 1989 | Indonesia Open | Huang Hua | 11–7, 11–0 | Winner |
| 1990 | All England Open | Huang Hua | 12–11, 11–1 | Winner |
| 1990 | Indonesia Open | Lee Young-suk | 11–1, 8–11, 4–11 | Runner-up |
| 1990 | Australian Open | Anna Lao | 11–1, 11–4 | Winner |
| 1990 | World Grand Prix Finals | Tang Jiuhong | 8–11, 11–5, 12–10 | Winner |
| 1991 | Chinese Taipei Open | Somharuthai Jaroensiri | 11–1, 11–2 | Winner |
| 1991 | Japan Open | Huang Hua | 3–11, 6–11 | Runner-up |
| 1991 | All England Open | Sarwendah Kusumawardhani | 0–11, 11–2, 11–6 | Winner |
| 1991 | Indonesia Open | Lee Heung-soon | 11–8, 11–3 | Winner |
| 1991 | Denmark Open | Huang Hua | 11–5, 6–11, 11–8 | Winner |
| 1991 | Thailand Open | Lee Heung-soon | 11–7, 11–4 | Winner |
| 1991 | Swedish Open | Pernille Nedergaard | 11–2, 11–3 | Winner |
| 1991 | World Grand Prix Finals | Lee Heung-soon | 9–11, 11–8, 11–1 | Winner |
| 1992 | Denmark Open | Lim Xiaoqing | 11–3, 11–3 | Winner |
| 1992 | Japan Open | Ye Zhaoying | 11–2, 11–0 | Winner |
| 1992 | German Open | Sarwendah Kusumawardhani | 11–7, 10–12, 11–8 | Winner |
| 1992 | Hong Kong Open | Bang Soo-hyun | 11–5, 6–11, 7–11 | Runner-up |
| 1992 | Thailand Open | Bang Soo-hyun | 11–7, 11–4 | Winner |
| 1992 | World Grand Prix Finals | Sarwendah Kusumawardhani | 9–11, 11–3, 11–4 | Winner |
| 1993 | All England Open | Bang Soo-hyun | 4–11, 11–4, 11–1 | Winner |
| 1993 | Malaysia Open | Lim Xiaoqing | 11–6, 11–2 | Winner |
| 1993 | Indonesia Open | Ye Zhaoying | 9–11, 11–12 | Runner-up |
| 1993 | Thailand Open | Somharuthai Jaroensiri | 12–10, 11–2 | Winner |
| 1993 | Korea Open | Bang Soo-hyun | 9–12, 5–11 | Runner-up |
| 1993 | German Open | Ye Zhaoying | 11–6, 11–8 | Winner |
| 1993 | Dutch Open | Camilla Martin | 11–7, 11–1 | Winner |
| 1993 | World Grand Prix Finals | Ye Zhaoying | 11–3, 12–9 | Winner |
| 1994 | Chinese Taipei Open | Kim Ji-hyun | 11–2, 11–5 | Winner |
| 1994 | All England Open | Ye Zhaoying | 11–5, 11–9 | Winner |
| 1994 | Japan Open | Ye Zhaoying | 11–6, 10–12, 11–8 | Winner |
| 1994 | Malaysia Open | Ye Zhaoying | 11–3, 11–8 | Winner |
| 1994 | Thailand Open | Lim Xiaoqing | 11–5, 12–10 | Winner |
| 1994 | Indonesia Open | Bang Soo-hyun | 2–11, 11–0, 11–7 | Winner |
| 1994 | World Grand Prix Finals | Ye Zhaoying | 4–11, 12–10, 11–4 | Winner |
| 1995 | Japan Open | Bang Soo-hyun | 11–7, 12–11 | Winner |
| 1995 | Malaysia Open | Bang Soo-hyun | 11–1, 11–6 | Winner |
| 1995 | Indonesia Open | Bang Soo-hyun | 11–1, 12–11 | Winner |
| 1995 | Korea Open | Bang Soo-hyun | 3–11, 11–7, 11–9 | Winner |
| 1996 | Japan Open | Ye Zhaoying | 7–11, 8–11 | Runner-up |
| 1996 | Indonesia Open | Wang Chen | 11–8, 11–8 | Winner |
| 1996 | Chinese Taipei Open | Ye Zhaoying | 11–5, 11–2 | Winner |
| 1996 | World Grand Prix Finals | Ye Zhaoying | 11–4, 11–1 | Winner |
| 1997 | Malaysia Open | Ye Zhaoying | 11–5, 11–7 | Winner |
| 1997 | Indonesia Open | Meiluawati | 11–4, 11–5 | Winner |
| 1997 | Vietnam Open | Xu Huaiwen | 11–4, 11–1 | Winner |
| 1997 | World Grand Prix Finals | Ye Zhaoying | 4–11, 4–11 | Runner-up |
| 1998 | Singapore Open | Ye Zhaoying | 5–11, 6–11, 2–11 | Runner-up |
Women's doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1987 | Indonesia Open | Verawaty Fadjrin | Rosiana Tendean Ivana Lie | 4–15, 16–17 | Runner-up |
| 1990 | Australian Open | Lisa Campbell | Rhonda Cator Anna Lao | 8–15, 2–15 | Runner-up |
Mixed doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1990 | Australian Open | Ardy Wiranata | He Tim Anna Lao | 11–15, 12–15 | Runner-up |
    IBF Grand Prix tournament
    IBF Grand Prix Finals tournament

### IBF Junior International (2 titles)

Girls' singles
| Year | Tournament | Opponent | Score | Result | Ref |
| 1987 | Duinwijck Junior | Lilik Sudarwati | 11–2, 11–3 | Winner | |
Girls' doubles
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result | Ref |
| 1987 | Duinwijck Junior | Lilik Sudarwati | Tina Antonsen Siw Hemmingsen | 5–11, 15–11, 15–6 | Winner | |

### Invitational Tournament

Women's singles
| Year | Tournament | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1988 | Asian Invitational Championships | Bandar Lampung, Indonesia | Tang Jiuhong | 1–11, 4–11 | Bronze |

## Record against selected opponents

Record against year-end Finals finalists, World Championships semi-finalists, and Olympic quarter-finalists.
| Players | Matches | Results | Results | Difference |
| Players | Matches | Won | Lost | Difference |
| Anna Lao | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 |
| Dai Yun | 3 | 3 | 0 | +3 |
| Gong Ruina | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Gong Zhichao | 7 | 4 | 3 | +1 |
| Han Aiping | 3 | 2 | 1 | +1 |
| Han Jingna | 5 | 5 | 0 | +5 |
| Huang Hua | 13 | 9 | 4 | +5 |
| Li Lingwei | 2 | 0 | 2 | –2 |
| Tang Jiuhong | 13 | 7 | 6 | +1 |
| Wang Chen | 4 | 3 | 1 | +2 |
| Xu Huaiwen | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 |
| Yao Yan | 5 | 5 | 0 | +5 |
| Ye Zhaoying | 34 | 23 | 11 | +12 |
| Zhang Ning | 6 | 5 | 1 | +4 |
| Players | Matches | Results | Results | Difference |
| Players | Matches | Won | Lost | Difference |
| Huang Chia-chi | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 |
| Camilla Martin | 15 | 15 | 0 | +15 |
| Mette Sørensen | 2 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
| Helen Troke | 2 | 2 | 0 | +2 |
| Yasuko Mizui | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 |
| Mia Audina | 1 | 1 | 0 | +1 |
| Sarwendah Kusumawardhani | 6 | 5 | 1 | +4 |
| Bang Soo-hyun | 25 | 19 | 6 | +13 |
| Kim Ji-hyun | 8 | 7 | 1 | +6 |
| Lee Heung-soon | 4 | 4 | 0 | +4 |
| Lee Young-suk | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Lim Xiaoqing | 9 | 8 | 1 | +7 |
| Somharuthai Jaroensiri | 12 | 12 | 0 | +12 |