London 2012 Lilyana Natsir: The key to Indonesia’s golden hopes

Whether partnered by Nova Widianto or Tontowi Ahmad, the on-court prowess of Lilyana Natsir makes her a formidable foe.

At the London Olympics, opponents will again be wary of the experienced Indonesian who – in Mixed Doubles with Ahmad – carries her country’s best hopes for badminton glory.

Over the past decade the 26-year-old has had her nation’s fortunes on her racket in countless doubles duels, initially paired with Widianto and more recently with Ahmad. Natsir may not have reached the stardom of celebrated former men’s singles champion, Taufik Hidayat, but her immense strength of character and skill in negotiating the testy waters of mixed-doubles badminton with different partners has earned her respect at home and abroad.

Liliyana Natsir & Tontowi Ahmad

This doubles specialist enjoyed a fruitful partnership with Widianto, winning two World Championships gold medals (2005 and 2007) and a silver at the Beijing Olympics four years ago. Widianto, a clever and deceptive player at the back, was well complemented by Natsir’s steely nerves and inventiveness at the net. The pair served Indonesian badminton admirably. However, towards the end of his career, Widianto began to lose his sting in attack and the team management decided to pair Natsir with the younger Tontowi Ahmad.

“Nova was getting old and did not have much power,” Natsir noted. “Tontowi is younger, so (he has) more power. They have different styles. Tontowi attacks more but Nova had very good technique.”

The new duo achieved instant success, lifting the Indonesia Open GP Gold title in October 2010. They went on a three-title streak the next year, winning the  India Open Superseries, the Malaysia Open GP Gold and the Singapore Open Superseries. This year they became only the second Indonesian pair – after Christian Hadinata and Imelda Wiguna in 1979 – to win the Mixed Doubles at the All England Superseries Premier. The Swiss Open (GP Gold) and the India Open Superseries titles followed, giving them another hat-trick of major titles. They are now No.4 in the BWF rankings.

“Winning the All England title made me more confident with Tontowi,” said Natsir, who was previously ranked No.1 with Widianto. “I’m looking forward to the next big competition, the Olympics. I’m hoping to win the gold medal.”

Natsir is the senior partner in this new union. Given her experience in reading opponents and match situations, she is often seen instructing Ahmad who, for the most part, has lived up to expectations.

“With Nova, he had the experience and was the senior partner,” Lilayana observed. “But with Tontowi, I have to take charge as the senior.”

Having reached the Olympic final in Beijing, Natsir knows how tough the battle for the gold will be. Four years ago, she and Widianto fell to Koreans, Lee Yong Dae and Lee Hyo Jung, at the last hurdle. Natsir is not thinking that far ahead on this occasion, just contemplating their opening fixture.

“I want to think only about the first match. There’s a lot of pressure on us for the Olympics. Indonesians are looking to us to win the gold.”

Tontowi Ahmad nods affirmatively, well aware of the national anticipation building behind their Olympic campaign.

“This will be my first Olympic Games, so of course I’m nervous but looking at our results this year, especially at the All England, we’re confident we can do well.”

Olympic and Paralympic News

Tokyo 2020: A Parliamentarian at the Olympics

Tokyo 2020: A Parliamentarian at the Olympics

22 July 2021
Cai Yun, Fu Haifeng Pay Tribute to ‘Cannon’ Kido

Cai Yun, Fu Haifeng Pay Tribute to ‘Cannon’ Kido

19 June 2021
History-Making Danes Thwart China – Day 6 Session 1: Rio 2016

History-Making Danes Thwart China – Day 6 Session 1: Rio 2016

16 August 2016
London 2012: Day 9 – Men’s Doubles: Careers Complete with Golden Sweep

London 2012: Day 9 – Men’s Doubles: Careers Complete with Golden Sweep

5 August 2012
London 2012: Day 9 – Men’s Singles: He’s ‘Dan’ It!

London 2012: Day 9 – Men’s Singles: He’s ‘Dan’ It!

5 August 2012
London 2012: Day 8 – Women’s Singles : Li Xuerui Repays Country’s Faith with Gold

London 2012: Day 8 – Women’s Singles : Li Xuerui Repays Country’s...

4 August 2012
London 2012: Day 8 – Women’s Doubles: Double Take for Zhao Yunlei

London 2012: Day 8 – Women’s Doubles: Double Take for Zhao Yunlei

4 August 2012
London 2012: Day 8 – Men’s Doubles Semis: Korea’s Loss is Denmark’s Gain

London 2012: Day 8 – Men’s Doubles Semis: Korea’s Loss is Denmark’s...

4 August 2012
London 2012: Day 7 – Men’s Singles Semis: Lin Dan, Lee Chong Wei in Golden Showdown

London 2012: Day 7 – Men’s Singles Semis: Lin Dan, Lee Chong...

3 August 2012
London 2012: Day 7 – Zhang-Zhao Tops World of Mixed Doubles

London 2012: Day 7 – Zhang-Zhao Tops World of Mixed Doubles

3 August 2012
London 2012: Day 7 – Women’s Singles Semis: Wang Yihan Routs Nehwal

London 2012: Day 7 – Women’s Singles Semis: Wang Yihan Routs Nehwal

3 August 2012
London 2012: Day 6 – Session 3: Lin Dan, Chong Wei in Semi-finals

London 2012: Day 6 – Session 3: Lin Dan, Chong Wei in...

2 August 2012
London 2012: Day 6 – Session 2: China Assured of Mixed Doubles Gold

London 2012: Day 6 – Session 2: China Assured of Mixed Doubles...

2 August 2012
London 2012: Day 6 – Session 1: Four Countries Eye Men’s Doubles Gold

London 2012: Day 6 – Session 1: Four Countries Eye Men’s Doubles...

2 August 2012
London 2012: Day 5 – Session 3: Great Medal Expectations for Saina

London 2012: Day 5 – Session 3: Great Medal Expectations for Saina

1 August 2012
London 2012: Day 5 – Session 2: Juliane Schenk Crashes Out to Ratchanok

London 2012: Day 5 – Session 2: Juliane Schenk Crashes Out to...

1 August 2012
London 2012: Day 5 – Session 1: Final Bow for European Greats

London 2012: Day 5 – Session 1: Final Bow for European Greats

1 August 2012
London 2012: Koreans’ Appeal Rejected; Indonesia’s Withdrawn

London 2012: Koreans’ Appeal Rejected; Indonesia’s Withdrawn

1 August 2012
London 2012: Four Pairs Disqualified

London 2012: Four Pairs Disqualified

1 August 2012
London 2012: Badminton Players to Answer Charges

London 2012: Badminton Players to Answer Charges

1 August 2012
London 2012: Day 4 – Session 3: Lee Yong Dae Looking to ‘Double Up’

London 2012: Day 4 – Session 3: Lee Yong Dae Looking to...

31 July 2012
London 2012: Day 4 – Session 2: Cordon Creates Continental History

London 2012: Day 4 – Session 2: Cordon Creates Continental History

31 July 2012
London 2012: Day 4 – Session 1: Chinese Doubly Surprised!

London 2012: Day 4 – Session 1: Chinese Doubly Surprised!

31 July 2012
London 2012: Day 3 – Session 3: Korea’s Top Guns Bow Out

London 2012: Day 3 – Session 3: Korea’s Top Guns Bow Out

30 July 2012
London 2012: Day 3 – Session 2: Injury Pulls Poles Apart

London 2012: Day 3 – Session 2: Injury Pulls Poles Apart

30 July 2012
London 2012: Day 3 – Session 1: Olympics Gets Even Better for Sri Lankan Flag Bearer

London 2012: Day 3 – Session 1: Olympics Gets Even Better for...

30 July 2012
London 2012: Day 2 – Session 3: Chinese Focused on Golden Finale to Careers

London 2012: Day 2 – Session 3: Chinese Focused on Golden Finale...

29 July 2012
London 2012: Day 2 – Session 2: Beware the Baby-Faced Assassins

London 2012: Day 2 – Session 2: Beware the Baby-Faced Assassins

29 July 2012
London 2012: Day 2 – Session 1: Brits Going Home from the London Olympics

London 2012: Day 2 – Session 1: Brits Going Home from the...

29 July 2012
London 2012: Day 1 – Session 3: Australians’ Fighting Spirit to the Fore

London 2012: Day 1 – Session 3: Australians’ Fighting Spirit to the...

28 July 2012
London 2012: Day 1 – Session 2: Anu ‘Finnish-ed’ Losing at Olympics

London 2012: Day 1 – Session 2: Anu ‘Finnish-ed’ Losing at Olympics

28 July 2012
London 2012: Day 1 – Session 1: Russians Surprise British Hopefuls

London 2012: Day 1 – Session 1: Russians Surprise British Hopefuls

28 July 2012
London 2012: Weight of Country and Continent on Schenk’s Shoulders

London 2012: Weight of Country and Continent on Schenk’s Shoulders

27 July 2012
London 2012: Lin Dan: ‘I was just an ordinary kid like anyone else’

London 2012: Lin Dan: ‘I was just an ordinary kid like anyone...

27 July 2012
London 2012: Lee Chong Wei takes on ghost of Wembley

London 2012: Lee Chong Wei takes on ghost of Wembley

27 July 2012
London 2012: Another Starry Accomplishment in Li Lingwei’s Brilliant Career

London 2012: Another Starry Accomplishment in Li Lingwei’s Brilliant Career

26 July 2012
London 2012: BWF President Hails ‘Worthy Recognition’ For  Sir Craig Reedie

London 2012: BWF President Hails ‘Worthy Recognition’ For Sir Craig Reedie

26 July 2012
London 2012: Self-belief breathes new life into Kashyap

London 2012: Self-belief breathes new life into Kashyap

26 July 2012
London 2012: Brother and sister create badminton history

London 2012: Brother and sister create badminton history

26 July 2012
Robertson lights up Wembley Arena with Olympic torch

Robertson lights up Wembley Arena with Olympic torch

25 July 2012
London 2012: Cai and Fu: Seeking the missing piece to their collection

London 2012: Cai and Fu: Seeking the missing piece to their collection

24 July 2012
London 2012: Olympic Games LIVE DRAW

London 2012: Olympic Games LIVE DRAW

23 July 2012
London 2012: World Championships bronze inspires Ponnappa

London 2012: World Championships bronze inspires Ponnappa

16 July 2012
London 2012: India’s chief strategist plots London game plan

London 2012: India’s chief strategist plots London game plan

15 July 2012
London 2012: ‘Czech’ out Petr in Opening Ceremony – badminton’s gritty warrior leads country

London 2012: ‘Czech’ out Petr in Opening Ceremony – badminton’s gritty warrior...

12 July 2012
London 2012 Olympic Games Qualification: Li Xuerui’s London calling

London 2012 Olympic Games Qualification: Li Xuerui’s London calling

10 July 2012
London 2012: Malaysia’s golden boy still hunting for titles

London 2012: Malaysia’s golden boy still hunting for titles

29 June 2012