Susy Susanti

“Time flies and I am beyond happy to spend most of my time with my family.”

The opening ceremony of the 2018 Asian Games at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium stole everyone’s attention, especially the part when retired badminton player Susi Susanti lit the cauldron to mark the official beginning of the games. It’s been 26 years since she made history by winning the women’s singles gold medal at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, yet she still has a very special place in everyone’s hearts. She will always be remembered as the first Indonesian woman to win gold at the Olympics, who had tears streaming down her face while the Indonesian national anthem played.

“It was absolutely the best moment in my life, especially since my then fiancé, now my husband, Alan Budikusuma, won a gold medal too. My heart was full of joy,” she said.

Her achievements include winning multiple times at the All-England, the Japan Open, the Indonesian Open and the Badminton World Cups. She is also the recipient of the Herbert Scheele Trophy in 2002. Soon after she got married in 1997, Susi decided to retire and focus on her family.

“Time flies and I am beyond happy to spend most of my time with my family. Together with my husband, we give the best of what we have to our three kids. We want to raise them well. But even so, I still have time to take care of my spa business and spend some time for myself on the weekends. It’s all good!” she said.

Susi now serves as the Indonesian Badminton Association’s (PBSI) head of sport development for 2016 – 2020. With her title, she hopes she can make more contributions to her beloved Indonesia and restore the glory of the country’s badminton women’s team, like what she experienced in the 90s. Susi Susanti wears Chopard Happy Sport.