Sony Dwi Kuncoro

Sony Dwi Kuncoro (born 7 July 1984) is an Indonesian former badminton player. He was the 2004 Olympic bronze medalist, two-time World Championships medalist (silver–2007, bronze–2009) and three-time Asian Champion (2002, 2003, 2005). He reached a career high as world number 3 on 7 October 2004.

Personal life He plays badminton after his father introduced him at 7 years old, and at 8 years old he joined the Suryanaga Surabaya Badminton Club. Currently, he joins the Tjakrindo Masters Badminton Club in Surabaya. His parents are Moch. Sumadji (father) and Asmiati (mother). His hobbies are fixing automobiles and hanging-out or travelling. Generally people call him Sony, which can also be spelled as Soni. On 24 July 2009, he married Gading Safitri, who became his coach and manager.

Career

2004 Summer Olympics Kuncoro played badminton at the 2004 Summer Olympics in men's singles, defeating Roslin Hashim of Malaysia and Jim Ronny Andersen of Norway in the first two rounds. In the quarter-finals, Kuncoro defeated Park Tae-sang of South Korea 15–13, 15–4. Kuncoro advanced to the semifinals, in which he lost to Shon Seung-mo of Korea 15–6, 9–15, 15–9. He defeated Boonsak Ponsana of Thailand by a score of 15–11, 17–16 in the bronze medal match.

2007 BWF World Championships He became runner-up at the 2007 IBF World Championships after losing to Lin Dan in straight sets with a score of 11–21, 20–22 in Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil, Malaysia. During the tournament, he defeated Lee Chong Wei in the third round 21–9, 21–11 and Peter Gade in the quarter-final, 22–20, 21–18. He also beat Chen Yu in the semi-final in 3 tough games.

2009 BWF World Championships He was bronze medalist at the 2009 BWF World Championships, again losing to Lin Dan, but this time in 3 sets, 16–21, 21–14, 15–21. En route to the semi, he beat Lee Chong Wei (world number one) in the quarter-finals 21–16, 14–21, 21–12.

Other achievements He was runner-up in the World Junior Championships in 2000, defeated by Bao Chunlai in the final. He had good results in the Asian Championships, winning three titles. On 23 September 2007, Kuncoro won the Chinese Taipei Open Grand Prix Gold after beating Taufik Hidayat in the final round 18–21, 21–6, 21–13. He won the men's singles gold medal at the SEA Games in 2003 and 2005. At the SEA Games in 2007 and 2009, Sony helped the Indonesian team win gold in the men's team event.

In 2008, Kuncoro competed in Beijing Olympic Games but he was eliminated in the quarter-finals to the second seeded Lee Chong Wei in straight games. In June, he won the Indonesia Open Superseries beating Simon Santoso in the final 19–21, 21–14, 21–9 in Istora Senayan, Jakarta. In September, Kuncoro won the Japan Open Superseries beating Lee Chong Wei from Malaysia in straight sets 21–17, 21–11 in the final. Also in September, he captured the China Masters Superseries by beating China's Chen Jin 21–19, 21–18 in the final, thus becoming the first player to win the men's singles at three consecutive "Superseries" tournaments.

In 2009, his best performance in Superseries was semi-finalists in the Indonesia Open, beaten by Taufik Hidayat, 17–21, 14–21 and in Denmark Open beaten by Marc Zwiebler of Germany in three tough games. In December, he again helped Indonesia win the SEA Games, beating Malaysia in the men teams final. He also finished second in the individual event, beaten by his teammate Simon Santoso.

In 2012, he won the men's singles title at the Thailand Open Grand Prix Gold defeating China's Chen Yuekun in straight games, 21–17, 21–14. In the semi-final, he beat the top seed from China, Lin Dan also in straight games, 21–17, 21–16.

In 2013, he started the year by becoming the semi-finalists in 2013 Korea Open Superseries Premier, beaten by Du Pengyu, 12–21 17–21 and in 2013 Indonesian Masters Grand Prix Gold, giving walkover to Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka. He became the finalist in 2013 Malaysia Open Superseries, beaten by Lee Chong Wei, 7–21 8–21 and in 2013 Hong Kong Open Superseries, again beaten by Lee Chong Wei, 13–21 9–21.

In 2015, his best performance was being the champion at 2015 Chinese Taipei Masters Grand Prix after beating Wang Tzu-wei of Chinese Taipei with score 21–13, 21–15. He also won the 2015 Indonesia International Challenge after defeat the Korean young blood Jeon Hyeok-jin with straight games 22–20, 21–15.

In 2016, he advanced to the main round of the 2016 Singapore Open Superseries after winning the qualification rounds. He later won the event after beating China's Lin Dan in the semi-final with score 21–10, 17–21, 22–20, then South Korea's Son Wan-ho in the final with 21–16, 13–21, 21–14. This is his first Superseries title win in six years since his victory at the same level on the stage of 2010 Singapore Open. He competed as an independent athlete and later was removed from the national training camp in mid-2014 because of injuries to his back, waist and wrist.

Awards

Achievements

Olympic Games Men's singles

BWF World Championships Men's singles Year Venue Opponent Score Result Ref 2007 Putra Indoor Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Lin Dan 11–21, 20–22 Silver Silver 2009 Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad, India Lin Dan 14–21, 21–13, 15–21 Bronze Bronze

Asian Championships Men's singles Year Venue Opponent Score Result Ref 2002 Nimibutr Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Taufik Hidayat 15–12, 15–5 Gold Gold 2003 Tennis Indoor Gelora Bung Karno, Jakarta, Indonesia Taufik Hidayat 15–5, 7–15, 15–8 Gold Gold 2004 Kuala Lumpur Badminton Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Taufik Hidayat 12–15, 15–7, 6–15 Silver Silver 2005 Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, Hyderabad, India Kuan Beng Hong 15–10, 15–5 Gold Gold 2008 Bandaraya Stadium, Johor Bahru, Malaysia Park Sung-hwan 21–14, 16–21, 19–21 Bronze Bronze

SEA Games Men's singles Year Venue Opponent Score Result Ref 2003 Tan Binh Sport Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam Wong Choong Hann 15–8, 15–5 Gold Gold 2005 PhilSports Arena, Pasig, Philippines Simon Santoso 17–16, 15–3 Gold Gold 2009 Gym Hall 1, National Sports Complex, Vientiane, Laos Simon Santoso 16–21, 12–21 Silver Silver

World Junior Championships Boys' singles Year Venue Opponent Score Result Ref 2000 Tianhe Gymnasium, Guangzhou, China Bao Chunlai 1–7, 5–7, 7–1, 5–7 Silver Silver

Asian Junior Championships Boys' singles Year Venue Opponent Score Result Ref 2000 Nishiyama Park Gymnasium, Kyoto, Japan Lin Dan 12–15, 5–15 Silver Silver 2001 Taipei Gymnasium, Taipei, Taiwan Ardiansyah 12–15, 12–15 Silver Silver

BWF Superseries (5 titles, 2 runners-up) The BWF Superseries, which was launched on 14 December 2006 and implemented in 2007, is a series of elite badminton tournaments, sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF). BWF Superseries levels are Superseries and Superseries Premier. A season of Superseries consists of twelve tournaments around the world that have been introduced since 2011. Successful players are invited to the Superseries Finals, which are held at the end of each year.

Men's singles Year Tournament Opponent Score Result Ref 2008 Indonesia Open Simon Santoso 19–21, 21–14, 21–9 Winner 2008 Japan Open Lee Chong Wei21–17, 21–11 Winner 2008 China Masters Chen Jin 21–19, 21–18 Winner 2010 Singapore Open Boonsak Ponsana 21–16, 21–16 Winner 2013 Malaysia Open Lee Chong Wei 7–21, 8–21 Runner-up 2013 Hong Kong Open Lee Chong Wei 13–21, 9–21 Runner-up 2016 Singapore Open Son Wan-ho 21–16, 13–21, 21–14 Winner Superseries tournament Superseries Premier tournament Superseries Finals tournament

BWF Grand Prix (4 titles, 3 runners-up) The BWF Grand Prix had two levels, the BWF Grand Prix and Grand Prix Gold. It was a series of badminton tournaments sanctioned by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) which was held from 2007 to 2017. The World Badminton Grand Prix sanctioned by International Badminton Federation (IBF) from 1983 to 2006.

Men's singles Year Tournament Opponent Score Result Ref 2003 Chinese Taipei Open Wong Choong Hann 15–3, 7–15, 4–15 Runner-up 2007 Chinese Taipei Open Taufik Hidayat 18–21, 21–6, 21–13 Winner 2012 Malaysia Grand Prix Gold Lee Chong Wei 21–17, 8–21, 10–21 Runner-up 2012 Thailand Open Chen Yuekun 21–17, 21–14 Winner 2012 Indonesia Grand Prix Gold Dionysius Hayom Rumbaka 21–11, 21–11 Winner 2015 Chinese Taipei Masters Wang Tzu-wei 21–13, 21–15 Winner 2016 Thailand Open Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk 15–21, 16–21 Runner-up BWF Grand Prix Gold tournament BWF & IBF Grand Prix tournament

BWF International Challenge/Series (1 title, 3 runners-up) Men's singles Year Tournament Opponent Score Result Ref 2015 Indonesia International Jeon Hyeok-jin 22–20, 21–15 Winner 2018 Indonesia International Shesar Hiren Rhustavito 12–21, 20–22 Runner-up 2018 Indonesia International Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo 15–21, 9–21 Runner-up 2019 Indonesia International Ikhsan Rumbay 13–21, 15–21 Runner-up BWF International Challenge tournament BWF International Series tournament

Participation at Indonesian team 4 times at Sudirman Cup (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009) 4 times at Thomas Cup (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010) 2 times at Asian Games (2006, 2010) 4 times at SEA Games (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009)

Performance timeline

National team Junior level Team events 2000 2001 Asian Junior Championships File:Med 2.png Silver File:Med 3.png Bronze World Junior Championships File:Med 3.png Bronze

Senior level

Individual competitions Junior level Events 2000 2001 Asian Junior Championships File:Med 2.png Silver File:Med 2.png Silver World Junior Championships File:Med 2.png Silver

Senior level

Tournament 2018 2019 Best BWF World Tour Malaysia Masters Q2 A F (2012) Thailand Masters A R1 R2 (2016) Indonesia Masters QF R1 W (2012) Singapore Open R1 Q1 W (2010, 2016) New Zealand Open R1 A R1 (2018) Australian Open QF A QF (2018) Thailand Open SF R1 W (2012) Hyderabad Open A R2 R2 (2019) Vietnam Open A R1 SF (2012) Indonesia Masters Super 100 R3 R3 (2019) Macau Open R1 A QF (2010, 2014) Year-end ranking 63 146 3 Tournament 2018 2019 Best

Tournament 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Best BWF Superseries All England Open QF QF R2 R2 R1 A R2 R1 A R2 QF (2007, 2008) Swiss Open QF R1 A GPG SF (2003, 2004) India Open GPG R1 A A R2 A R2 (2016) Malaysia Open R2 R1 QF A F A Q1 R1 F (2013) Singapore Open R2 A QF W R1 QF A W R1 W (2010, 2016) Australian Open IC/IS GPG A R2 A R2 (2012, 2016) Indonesia Open QF W SF SF Q1 QF R2 R1 Q2 R2 Q1 W (2008) Japan Open R1 W QF Q1 R1 R1 A R1 A W (2008) Korea Open QF QF A SF A R1 Q2 SF (2013) China Masters R2 W A GPG W (2008) Denmark Open QF R2 SF A QF QF A SF (2009) French Open R1 R2 R2 A R2 R2 A R2 (2008, 2009, 2012, 2013) China Open QF A QF A R2 QF A R1 Q2 QF (2007, 2009, 2013) Hong Kong Open QF A R1 A R1 F R1 A QF Q1 F (2013) BWF Superseries Finals SF GS SF (2008) Year-end ranking 7 30 67 13 8 131 70 26 95 3 Tournament 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Best

Tournament 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Best IBF World Grand Prix All England Open A R1 R1 QF A R1 QF (2004) Swiss Open A R2 SF SF A SF (2003, 2004) Indonesia Open R2 R1 A QF QF R3 QF SF R1 SF (2005) Malaysia Open A QF R3 R3 A QF (2003) Thailand Open A R2 A R2 (2001) Singapore Open A R1 R2 A R1 R2 (2002) Chinese Taipei Open A A F A F (2003) Korea Open A R3 A R1 R3 (2003) Hong Kong Open A SF QF R2 QF SF (2001) Japan Open A R2 R1 R3 A R2 R3 (2004) China Open A A R3 R3 A R3 (2004, 2005) Dutch Open A R3 A R3 (2002) Denmark Open A R3 R2 R3 A R3 (2002, 2004)

Record against selected opponents Head to head (H2H) against BWF Superseries finalists, World Championships semifinalists, and Olympic quarterfinalists.

Bao Chunlai 3–9 Chen Hong 4–3 Chen Jin 2–3 Chen Long 1–1 Chen Yu 2–1 Du Pengyu 3–2 Lin Dan 3–9 Tian Houwei 1–0 Xia Xuanze 1–0 Chou Tien-chen 0–2 Hans-Kristian Vittinghus 0–1 Jan Ø. Jørgensen 0–2 Peter Gade 3–1 Peter Rasmussen 0–2 Viktor Axelsen 0–2 Taufik Hidayat 2–3 Tommy Sugiarto 3–2 Parupalli Kashyap 3–0 Sho Sasaki 5–1 Lee Hyun-il 1–4 Park Sung-hwan 2–6 Shon Seung-mo 3–2 Son Wan-ho 2–1 Lee Chong Wei 5–10 Wong Choong Hann 6–4 Ronald Susilo 3–2 Kunlavut Vitidsarn 1–1 Boonsak Ponsana 5–4 Nguyễn Tiến Minh 2–2