Home > Doubles Partners
Candra Wijaya:
What more can I say about this man? He sure is one of the greatest athletes. His dedication, court conduct, and charisma made him a highly regarded player and earned him the title of “Player of the Year” in 2000. And I am very proud to be his partner. We have a unique history behind our partnership. Originally, we were never set up as a double partner. How we ended up together was more coincidental.
Candra made his major breakthrough by winning the 1997 World Championships with Sigit Budiarto. Unfortunately, their partnership ended in 1998 when Sigit was banned from international competitions due to the incidental use of flu remedy. The Indonesian Badminton Association concerned because Candra/Sigit is one of the strong candidates for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Gold Medal. I was fortunate to be the chosen one to replace Sigit’s spot and carry the mission.
On our journey to qualify for the Olympic, Candra and I had collected many major titles such as All England Championships, Japan Open, Malaysia Open, Indonesia Open, Hong Kong Open, Grand Prix Finals, Copenhagen Masters, and the team event, Thomas Cup. Summer 2000, we accomplished our mission by winning the Olympic Gold Medal for our country Indonesia. I was very happy with the result as we defeated our two strongest opponents (Kim Dong Moon/Ha Tae Kwon in semifinal and Lee Dong Soo/Yoo Young Soon in final).
Halim Haryanto:
I started to blossom in international platform when I partnered with Halim. We were such a perfect combination for doubles; I take care the front area while he delivers his lethal smashes. We won right away on the very first two tournaments we partnered together (Malaysia Open and Brunei Open, 1998).
Unfortunately, we couldn’t stay together for the 2000 Olympic as I was ordered to partner with Candra Wijaya. However, we proved our quality as one of the strongest double pairs in the world by winning the 2001 All England Championships (we won against Candra/Sigit) and the 2001 World Championships (against Kim Dong Moon/ Ha Tae Kwon).
I have to admit that our most memorable performance was during the final of the 2001 World Championships. We stormed out right at the start of the first game and didn’t give a chance to Kim Dong Moon and Ha Tae Kwon to score any single point. Second game, as they finally found their momentum, we tried our best to stay focus and didn’t let them win that game. It was a very sweet victory; especially because it was my last World Championships where I represent my home country Indonesia.
Howard Bach:
Who would’ve thought that I would partner with this California dude and won the 2005 World Championships? If I can comment on my badminton journey in USA, I would say only one word: miraculous!!! When I first started my new career at Orange County Badminton Club, I thought I would simply spend more time as a sparring/coach than as a player again. However, I received so many supports from the club’s owners, fellow coaches, and friends that they made it all possible for me to step inside the court and focus for the 2005 World Championships.
I always have a faith in US badminton players that they someday will become part of the elite world players. The only thing that they are lacking from is the exposure of playing at the world level continuously. I got extremely motivated when I found out the 2005 World Championships was going to be held in their home court (Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California – five minutes from Orange County Badminton Club). It was just a perfect place and time to prove my believe.
That week, August 15 – 21, 2005 was a very exciting week for me and Howard. In front of many loyal supporters, we played like we have never played before. The crowd fed us with energy and that made us hang in there ‘till the end, especially during the third game of our final match when we were trailing 9-11. Winning this World Championships gave me so many mix feelings. I was so proud that I was the only individual who could win the world title for two different countries; and yet, there was a feeling of sadness as well because the opponent was my fellow countryman, partner, and my best friend, Candra Wijaya.