Liem Swie King, the Indonesian badminton legend, soared to global fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s, revolutionizing the sport with his ferocious jumping smash, aptly dubbed the “King Smash.”
Born on February 28, 1956, in Kudus, Central Java, King dominated the badminton world, clinching three All England titles (1978, 1979, 1981) and contributing to Indonesia’s Thomas Cup victories in 1976, 1979, and 1984.
Yet, beneath the glittering trophies and adulation lies a complex story of triumph, controversy, and resilience in the face of systemic discrimination and personal struggles. This exposé delves into the highs and lows of King’s career, uncovering the untold pressures and controversies that shaped his legacy.
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The Rise of a Revolutionary Badminton Player
Liem Swie King, born Lin Shuijing to Chinese-Indonesian parents Ng Thian Poo and Oei See Moi, grew up in a badminton-loving family. His sisters, Megah Inawati and Megah Idawati, competed in the 1965 Uber Cup, and a small court in their backyard became his training ground.
At 14, King’s raw talent caught the eye of Budi Hartono, owner of the prestigious Djarum Badminton Club, during a local tournament in Kudus. Despite losing the final, King’s explosive style earned him a spot in the club, where rigorous coaching honed his skills. By 15, he was Central Java’s junior singles champion, and in 1974, still in high school, he claimed the national championship.
King’s defining innovation was the jumping smash, a move he began perfecting around 1977. From a low crouching stance, he launched himself skyward, intercepting the shuttlecock at its peak with a whip-like strike or a deceptive drop shot.
This technique, now a standard in professional badminton, was revolutionary in its era, earning him the nickname “King Smash” and the distinction of being one of the first players to popularize it internationally.
His vertical leap, dramatic for his stature (1,68 meters), mesmerized spectators and overwhelmed opponents, helping him dominate the All England Championships and secure the world’s first IBF men’s singles number-one ranking in 1978.
A Career of Unmatched Brilliance
King’s résumé is staggering. He reached the All England men’s singles finals six consecutive years (1976–1981), winning in 1978, 1979, and 1981, cementing his status as one of the world’s elite alongside contemporaries like Denmark’s Morten Frost and India’s Prakash Padukone.
He was a runner-up at the IBF World Championships in 1980 and 1983, losing to fellow Indonesians Rudy Hartono and Icuk Sugiarto, respectively. In team events, King was a linchpin for Indonesia’s Thomas Cup triumphs, playing both singles and doubles in 1979 and 1984. His 33-month unbeaten streak in singles during the late 1970s remains a testament to his dominance.
Off the court, King’s life took on new dimensions. In 1976, he met Lucia Alamsah, whom he married, and they raised three children: Alexander, Stephanie, and Michelle. His achievements inspired a 2009 Indonesian film, King, in which he made a cameo, and a biography, Call Me, King, by Robert Adhi Kusumaputra. In 2002, he was inducted into the Badminton Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to a player who redefined the sport.
The 1976 All England Controversy
Despite his accolades, King’s career was not without controversy, most notably the 1976 All England final against Rudy Hartono, Indonesia’s badminton icon.
King, then 20, faced his idol in a highly anticipated match. Hartono won 15–7, 15–7, but whispers of foul play emerged. Some speculated that King was pressured to throw the match to preserve Hartono’s legacy, who was chasing his eighth All England title.
A 2019 thread on X fueled these claims, citing King’s reflections on the match as a source of regret. While no definitive evidence supports the allegation, the controversy lingers, casting a shadow over one of King’s earliest high-profile moments. King has never publicly confirmed these claims, but the speculation underscores the intense pressure he faced as a rising star in Indonesia’s badminton hierarchy.
Ethnic Discrimination and Societal Struggles
As a Chinese-Indonesian, King navigated a turbulent socio-political landscape. During the New Order regime under President Suharto (1967–1998), ethnic Chinese faced systemic discrimination, including laws restricting Chinese cultural expression and requiring Chinese-Indonesians to adopt “Indonesian” names.
King, born Lin Shuijing, chose the name Guntur (meaning “thunder”) in 1974 at his sister’s suggestion, but his coach, Tahir Djide, preferred “King” for its simplicity—a moniker that stuck.
Despite his contributions to Indonesia’s global sporting prestige, King was not immune to anti-Chinese sentiment. According to a 2019 article by Irwanti Said in the Journal of Social Welfare Mimbar, discriminatory policies and societal prejudice persisted, even for national heroes like King.
His ability to focus on badminton amidst such challenges speaks to his resilience, but it also highlights the broader struggles of Chinese-Indonesians during his era.
Regrets and the 1980 “Fun Game” Fiasco
Another blemish on King’s career was his participation in a 1980 “fun game” against China, an exhibition match organized by the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI).
King later called it his “biggest mistake,” lamenting that it disrupted his preparation for the 1980 All England Championships, where he lost in the final to Prakash Padukone.
In a 2022 X post by @ainurohman, King expressed frustration with PBSI’s demands, accusing the federation of prioritizing optics over players’ well-being. The incident revealed the strained dynamics between King and the badminton establishment, which often placed national pride above individual needs.
This misstep, though minor in the grand scope of his career, left Liem Swie King with lingering regret, as he believed it cost him a fourth All England title.
Life After Badminton for Liem Swie King
King retired in 1988 after a 15-year career, choosing not to coach like many peers.
Instead, he ventured into entrepreneurship, managing a hotel and spa owned by his father-in-law in Jakarta and opening wellness massage centers in South and North Jakarta.
His business acumen mirrored his on-court discipline, but he remained connected to badminton, mentoring young talents and playing tennis recreationally.
In a 2020 interview with The Time Place, King emphasized his family-first philosophy, delighting in his role as a grandfather to three. Yet, his post-retirement life also reflected a quieter struggle: the fading spotlight. A 2009 BadmintonPlanet.com article noted that King, like many retired athletes, slipped into obscurity until the King film and biography revived public appreciation—a bittersweet reminder of the fleeting nature of fame.
The Legacy and the Unseen Scars
Liem Swie King’s legacy is undeniable. His King Smash transformed badminton, inspiring generations of players to adopt the jumping technique.
His grit and flair brought Indonesia to the forefront of the sport, earning him a place in the Badminton Hall of Fame. Yet, his story is also one of navigating controversies—whether the 1976 All England rumors or the 1980 exhibition match—and enduring ethnic discrimination in a nation that both celebrated and marginalized him.
King’s silence on some of these issues, particularly the 1976 allegations, adds an air of mystery, leaving fans to wonder about the pressures he faced behind closed doors.
Today King remains a revered figure in Indonesia, his name synonymous with badminton excellence. His life, immortalized in film and literature, serves as a testament to his journey from a Kudus backyard to global arenas.
But the shadows of his career—controversies, regrets, and societal challenges—reveal a man who fought not just opponents on the court but the weight of expectations and prejudice off it. Liem Swie King is more than the King Smash; he is a symbol of triumph over adversity, a legend whose story continues to resonate.
Sources:
- Wikipedia: Liem Swie King
- VOI.id: Liem Swie King’s Accomplishments
- BadmintonPlanet.com: The Return of a King
- The Time Place: Liem Swie King
- X posts by @ainurohman
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