1. Overview
Ricky Subagja, born Ricky Achmad Soebagdja on January 27, 1971, in Bandung, West Java, Indonesia, is a legendary former Indonesian badminton player. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest doubles specialists in the history of the sport. Throughout his illustrious career, he achieved remarkable success, most notably in men's doubles, where he formed a highly successful partnership with Rexy Mainaky for most of the 1990s.
Subagja's major career highlights include capturing the Gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games in men's doubles with Mainaky. He also won two BWF World Championships titles (1993 with Rudy Gunawan and 1995 with Mainaky), three Badminton World Cup titles (1993, 1995, 1997), and two All England Open Badminton Championships titles (1995, 1996). His achievements extend to team competitions, leading the Indonesian national team to four consecutive Thomas Cup victories (1994, 1996, 1998, 2000). He was inducted into the Badminton Hall of Fame in 2009, cementing his status as a badminton icon.
2. Early life and personal background
Ricky Subagja's early life and personal relationships are publicly known aspects of his biography.
2.1. Birth and early life
Ricky Achmad Soebagdja was born on January 27, 1971, in the city of Bandung, located in West Java, Indonesia. He stands at a height of 5.6 ft (1.72 m).
2.2. Personal background
Subagja was formerly married to Elsa Manora Nasution, a national Indonesian swimmer.
3. Badminton career
Ricky Subagja's badminton career spanned both junior and professional levels, marked by numerous significant victories and partnerships that cemented his legacy in the sport.
3.1. Junior career
Subagja began his competitive badminton journey during his junior years, demonstrating early promise in international tournaments. He participated in the Bimantara World Badminton Junior Invitation Championships, an international invitation tournament for junior players held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
His junior achievements include:
- At the 1987 Bimantara World Junior Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia, he secured a Bronze medal in boys' doubles with partner Imay Hendra, and a Silver medal in mixed doubles with partner Lilik Sudarwati.
- In 1988, at the same championships in Jakarta, he claimed a Gold medal in boys' doubles with partner Aras Razak and another Gold medal in mixed doubles with partner Lilik Sudarwati. He also earned a Bronze medal in boys' singles.
- He further won the 1987 IBF Junior International Duinwijck Junior tournament in boys' doubles with partner Nunung Murdijanto.
3.2. Professional career
Subagja's professional career is highlighted by his strategic partnerships, distinct playing style, and an impressive collection of titles across major international, team, Grand Prix, and Open tournaments.
3.2.1. Partnership and playing style
Ricky Subagja's professional career was largely defined by his partnerships, primarily with Rexy Mainaky, which became one of the most formidable and successful men's doubles pairs of the 1990s. Although he initially won the 1993 BWF World Championships with fellow countryman Rudy Gunawan, his most enduring and fruitful collaboration was with Mainaky. Together, Subagja and Mainaky formed a dominant duo, renowned for their aggressive and fast-paced style of play. Subagja was characterized by his fast movement and even faster hitting, complemented by Mainaky's equally quick and hard-hitting abilities. This synergy enabled them to capture more than thirty international titles throughout their partnership, solidifying their reputation as one of the most successful teams of their era.
3.2.2. Major international tournament achievements
Subagja's professional career was decorated with numerous titles from the sport's most prestigious international tournaments, underscoring his dominance in men's doubles.
Olympic Games
Subagja achieved the pinnacle of his career at the Olympic Games:
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | GSU Sports Arena, Atlanta, United States | Rexy Mainaky | Malaysia's Yap Kim Hock Malaysia's Cheah Soon Kit | 5-15, 15-13, 15-12 | Gold |
He also reached the quarterfinals at both the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and the 2000 Sydney Olympics with Rexy Mainaky.
BWF World Championships
Subagja is a two-time World Champion in men's doubles:
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England | Rudy Gunawan | Malaysia's Cheah Soon Kit Malaysia's Soo Beng Kiang | 15-11, 15-3 | Gold |
| 1995 | Malley Sports Centre, Lausanne, Switzerland | Rexy Mainaky | Denmark's Jon Holst-Christensen Denmark's Thomas Lund | 15-5, 15-2 | Gold |
| 1997 | Scotstoun Centre, Glasgow, Scotland | Rexy Mainaky | Malaysia's Yap Kim Hock Malaysia's Cheah Soon Kit | 9-15, 15-2, 12-15 | Bronze |
Badminton World Cup
Subagja secured three men's doubles titles at the World Cup:
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Guangdong Gymnasium, Guangzhou, China | Rexy Mainaky | Malaysia's Cheah Soon Kit Malaysia's Soo Beng Kiang | 10-15, 11-15 | Silver |
| 1993 | Indira Gandhi Arena, New Delhi, India | Rexy Mainaky | China's Chen Kang China's Chen Hongyong | 15-7, 12-15, 15-9 | Gold |
| 1995 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | Rexy Mainaky | Thailand's Sakrapee Thongsari Thailand's Pramote Teerawiwatana | 15-4, 15-9 | Gold |
| 1997 | Among Rogo Sports Hall, Yogyakarta, Indonesia | Rexy Mainaky | South Korea's Lee Dong-soo South Korea's Yoo Yong-sung | 15-1, 10-15, 15-3 | Gold |
Asian Games
Subagja achieved a double gold at two consecutive Asian Games:
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Tsuru Memorial Gymnasium, Hiroshima, Japan | Rexy Mainaky | Malaysia's Cheah Soon Kit Malaysia's Soo Beng Kiang | 15-10, 15-2 | Gold |
| 1998 | Thammasat Gymnasium 2, Bangkok, Thailand | Rexy Mainaky | Thailand's Pramote Teerawiwatana Thailand's Siripong Siripool | 15-5, 15-10 | Gold |
Badminton Asia Championships
He also secured a bronze medal at the Asian Championships:
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Cheras Indoor Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Richard Mainaky | China's Chen Kang China's Chen Hongyong | 11-15, 15-12, 14-17 | Bronze |
Badminton Asian Cup
Subagja competed in the Asian Cup, earning both gold and silver medals:
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia | Rexy Mainaky | Malaysia's Cheah Soon Kit Malaysia's Soo Beng Kiang | 16-17, 5-15 | Silver |
| 1994 | Beijing Gymnasium, Beijing, China | Rexy Mainaky | Malaysia's Cheah Soon Kit Malaysia's Soo Beng Kiang | 15-8, 15-7 | Gold |
SEA Games
Subagja earned multiple medals at the Southeast Asian Games:
| Men's doubles | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1991 | Camp Crame Gymnasium, Manila, Philippines | Rexy Mainaky | Malaysia's Jalani Sidek Malaysia's Razif Sidek | 6-15, 15-12, 6-15 | Bronze |
| 1993 | Singapore Badminton Hall, Singapore | Rexy Mainaky | Malaysia's Cheah Soon Kit Malaysia's Soo Beng Kiang | 7-15, 15-11, 7-15 | Silver |
| 1995 | Gymnasium 3, 700th Anniversary Sport Complex, Chiang Mai, Thailand | Rexy Mainaky | Malaysia's Yap Kim Hock Malaysia's Cheah Soon Kit | 13-15, 9-15 | Silver |
| 1997 | Asia-Africa hall, Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex, Jakarta, Indonesia | Rexy Mainaky | Indonesia's Sigit Budiarto Indonesia's Candra Wijaya | 4-15, 17-14, 11-15 | Silver |
| Mixed doubles | |||||
| Year | Venue | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
| 1991 | Camp Crame Gymnasium, Manila, Philippines | Rosiana Tendean | Indonesia's Rexy Mainaky Indonesia's Erma Sulistianingsih | 15-6, 15-13 | Gold |
3.2.3. Team competition achievements
Ricky Subagja was an integral part of the highly successful Indonesian national badminton team, contributing significantly to their numerous victories in major team competitions.
His team achievements include:
- Thomas Cup: He was a key member of the Indonesian men's team that won four consecutive world titles in 1994, 1996, 1998, and 2000. The team also secured a Silver medal in 1992.
- Sudirman Cup: As part of the Indonesian mixed team, he earned Silver medals in 1991, 1993, and 1995, and Bronze medals in 1997 and 1999.
- Asian Games Men's Team: The Indonesian men's team, featuring Subagja, clinched Gold medals at the 1994 and 1998 Asian Games.
- SEA Games Men's Team: He contributed to the Indonesian men's team winning Gold medals in 1993, 1995, and 1997, and a Silver medal in 1991.
- Badminton Asia Championships Men's Team: The Indonesian men's team secured a Gold medal in 1993.
3.2.4. Grand Prix and Open tournament achievements
Ricky Subagja enjoyed extensive success in the IBF World Grand Prix Finals and various international open tournaments, accumulating numerous titles and runner-up finishes.
IBF World Grand Prix Finals
He was a three-time champion at the World Badminton Grand Prix Finals:
| Year | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Rexy Mainaky | Malaysia's Cheah Soon Kit Malaysia's Soo Beng Kiang | 15-11, 15-6 | Winner |
| 1993 | Rexy Mainaky | Indonesia's Rudy Gunawan Indonesia's Bambang Suprianto | 15-11, 10-15, 9-15 | Runner-up |
| 1994 | Rexy Mainaky | Indonesia's Rudy Gunawan Indonesia's Bambang Suprianto | 15-10, 15-7 | Winner |
| 1996 | Rexy Mainaky | Malaysia's Yap Kim Hock Malaysia's Cheah Soon Kit | 15-4, 15-9 | Winner |
International Open Tournaments (IBF World Grand Prix & IBF International)
Subagja's extensive list of accomplishments in various open tournaments includes:
| Year | Tournament | Partner | Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Dutch Open | Bagus Setiadi | Denmark's Jon Holst-Christensen Denmark's Thomas Lund | 10-15, 4-15 | Runner-up |
| 1991 | Polish International | Richard Mainaky | Indonesia's Rudy Gunawan Haditono Indonesia's Dicky Purwotjugiono | 15-12, 15-1 | Winner |
| 1991 | Canadian Open | Rexy Mainaky | Malaysia's Razif Sidek Malaysia's Jalani Sidek | 11-15, 12-15 | Runner-up |
| 1991 | U.S. Open | Rexy Mainaky | Malaysia's Razif Sidek Malaysia's Jalani Sidek | 13-18, 15-13, 3-15 | Runner-up |
| 1992 | French Open | Rexy Mainaky | China's Li Yongbo China's Tian Bingyi | 16-18, 12-15 | Runner-up |
| 1992 | Indonesia Open | Rexy Mainaky | Indonesia's Eddy Hartono Indonesia's Rudy Gunawan | 12-15, 5-15 | Runner-up |
| 1992 | China Open | Rexy Mainaky | Malaysia's Razif Sidek Malaysia's Jalani Sidek | 17-15, 15-11 | Winner |
| 1992 | Hong Kong Open | Rexy Mainaky | China's Huang Zhanzhong China's Zheng Yumin | 15-13, 15-10 | Winner |
| 1992 | Thailand Open | Rexy Mainaky | China's Huang Zhanzhong China's Zheng Yumin | 15-9, 12-15, 15-11 | Winner |
| 1993 | Swedish Open | Rexy Mainaky | Sweden's Peter Axelsson Sweden's Pär-Gunnar Jönsson | 15-12, 15-10 | Winner |
| 1993 | Malaysia Open | Rexy Mainaky | Malaysia's Cheah Soon Kit Malaysia's Soo Beng Kiang | 15-7, 15-5 | Winner |
| 1993 | Indonesia Open | Rexy Mainaky | Indonesia's Eddy Hartono Indonesia's Richard Mainaky | 15-13, 15-10 | Winner |
| 1993 | German Open | Rexy Mainaky | Denmark's Jon Holst-Christensen Denmark's Thomas Lund | 14-17, 12-15 | Runner-up |
| 1994 | Japan Open | Denny Kantono | Thailand's Sakrapee Thongsari Thailand's Pramote Teerawiwatana | 15-11, 12-15, 18-16 | Winner |
| 1994 | Korea Open | Denny Kantono | Sweden's Peter Axelsson Sweden's Pär-Gunnar Jönsson | 14-17, 7-15 | Runner-up |
| 1994 | Swedish Open | Rexy Mainaky | Sweden's Peter Axelsson Sweden's Pär-Gunnar Jönsson | 15-11, 15-12 | Winner |
| 1994 | All England Open | Rexy Mainaky | Indonesia's Rudy Gunawan Indonesia's Bambang Suprianto | 12-15, 12-15 | Runner-up |
| 1994 | Malaysia Open | Rexy Mainaky | Thailand's Sakrapee Thongsari Thailand's Pramote Teerawiwatana | 15-5, 18-16 | Winner |
| 1994 | Singapore Open | Rexy Mainaky | Denmark's Jon Holst-Christensen Denmark's Thomas Lund | 15-6, 15-8 | Winner |
| 1994 | Indonesia Open | Rexy Mainaky | Indonesia's Rudy Gunawan Indonesia's Bambang Suprianto | 10-15, 15-4, 18-17 | Winner |
| 1994 | Hong Kong Open | Rexy Mainaky | Indonesia's Rudy Gunawan Indonesia's Bambang Suprianto | 15-12, 14-17, 15-7 | Winner |
| 1995 | Korea Open | Rexy Mainaky | Denmark's Jon Holst-Christensen Denmark's Thomas Lund | 15-6, 11-15, 15-7 | Winner |
| 1995 | Japan Open | Rexy Mainaky | Indonesia's Rudy Gunawan Indonesia's Bambang Suprianto | 15-8, 15-9 | Winner |
| 1995 | All England Open | Rexy Mainaky | Indonesia's Antonius Ariantho Indonesia's Denny Kantono | 15-12, 15-18, 15-8 | Winner |
| 1995 | Singapore Open | Rexy Mainaky | Indonesia's Antonius Ariantho Indonesia's Denny Kantono | 15-7, 18-16 | Winner |
| 1996 | Japan Open | Rexy Mainaky | Indonesia's Rudy Gunawan Indonesia's Bambang Suprianto | 15-8, 12-15, 15-12 | Winner |
| 1996 | Korea Open | Rexy Mainaky | Malaysia's Yap Kim Hock Malaysia's Cheah Soon Kit | 15-5, 17-14 | Winner |
| 1996 | All England Open | Rexy Mainaky | Malaysia's Yap Kim Hock Malaysia's Cheah Soon Kit | 15-6, 15-5 | Winner |
| 1996 | China Open | Rexy Mainaky | Indonesia's Sigit Budiarto Indonesia's Candra Wijaya | 12-15, 5-15 | Runner-up |
| 1997 | Japan Open | Rexy Mainaky | Indonesia's Antonius Ariantho Indonesia's Denny Kantono | 15-11, 7-15, 15-7 | Winner |
| 1997 | Malaysia Open | Rexy Mainaky | Indonesia's Antonius Ariantho Indonesia's Denny Kantono | 17-15, 15-12 | Winner |
| 1997 | Vietnam Open | Rexy Mainaky | South Korea's Lee Dong-soo South Korea's Yoo Yong-sung | 15-11, 15-5 | Winner |
| 1998 | Singapore Open | Rexy Mainaky | Indonesia's Sigit Budiarto Indonesia's Candra Wijaya | 5-15, 5-15 | Runner-up |
| 1998 | Denmark Open | Rexy Mainaky | Indonesia's Flandy Limpele Indonesia's Eng Hian | 15-11, 15-6 | Winner |
| 1998 | Indonesia Open | Rexy Mainaky | Indonesia's Flandy Limpele Indonesia's Eng Hian | 15-5, 15-4 | Winner |
| 1999 | Indonesia Open | Rexy Mainaky | Indonesia's Tony Gunawan Indonesia's Candra Wijaya | 15-12, 15-8 | Winner |
| 2000 | Korea Open | Rexy Mainaky | South Korea's Lee Dong-soo South Korea's Yoo Yong-sung | 8-15, 15-9, 4-15 | Runner-up |
4. Post-playing career
After retiring from his professional badminton career, Ricky Subagja transitioned into new roles, including sports broadcasting and a foray into politics.
4.1. Sports broadcasting activities
Following his successful playing career, Ricky Subagja became involved in sports media. He has worked as a sports commentator and television presenter, sharing his expertise and insights on badminton and other sports with a wider audience.
4.2. Political career
Subagja has also ventured into the political arena. He ran as a candidate for the Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat Republik Indonesia (House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia) representing the West Java I electoral district in two general elections. In the 2014 Indonesian legislative election, he was a candidate for the Nasdem Party. He also ran in the 2019 Indonesian legislative election under the Democratic Party. However, he was not elected in either of these legislative elections.
5. Awards and honors
Ricky Subagja's exceptional contributions to badminton have been recognized with significant awards and honors. In 2009, he was inducted into the Badminton Hall of Fame by the Badminton World Federation.
6. Legacy and evaluation
Ricky Subagja is widely recognized as one of the greatest men's doubles players in the history of badminton. His partnership with Rexy Mainaky is frequently cited as one of the most successful and dominant pairs of the 1990s. Together, they achieved a rare "career Grand Slam," winning every major championship in the sport, including the Olympic Games, BWF World Championships, All England Open Badminton Championships, Badminton World Cup, and Asian Games. His fast-moving and hard-hitting playing style, coupled with his consistent performance at the highest level for over a decade, cemented his status as an icon of Indonesian and world badminton. His legacy continues to inspire future generations of players.