One man who has contributed to Indonesia's dominance in world badminton during the last 15 years was Wawan Hendrawan. Born in a small town in East Java into a badminton-loving family, he started playing at the age of seven with his father as his first coach. He remembers watching the first Olympic badminton competition on TV in 1992 and being inspired. Hendrawan says, "I was 20. I was so excited to see Alan Budi Kusuma and Susi Susanti win the gold medals. My dream was to win an Olympic medal myself."

Hendrawan began playing internationally in the early 1990s but at first was overshadowed by a number of his countrymen who rated among the world's elite players. His results gradually improved, peaking at the end of the century with a silver medal in men's singles at the 2000 summer Olympics and the gold medal at the 2001 IBF World Championships.

“When I won the silver medal in Sydney, that was seen as a failure,” Hendrawan says. “Winning is all that matters. I too felt disappointed as my target had been gold. Because the Olympics is only once in 4 years, you do not get another chance for four years. “Yet looking back he takes positives out of that defeat. “My Olympic ‘failure’ spurred me on to go one better in the world championship the next year,” says Hendrawan, who won the world title in Seville in 2001. “If I had been successful in the Olympics, perhaps I would not have won the world championship.”

Hendrawan is a follower of Jesus Christ. With fame and success in life, why does he need Jesus? “I believe that career and fame will end some time,” he says. “Just like a river that dries up. Jesus taught that there is more than this life—an eternal life. That is what I looking for—not fame as a player or being recognized by people. Because I know Jesus Christ, I am certain that I have eternal life.

“In Jesus Christ there is the answer to everything and that answer is Jesus Christ,” he says. “When faced with problems—losing, sadness or disappointment—there is only one who can comfort me—Jesus Christ. He is my Savior and my guide.”

Hendrawan retired in 2003 but never left the game unlike his more famous teammates as he joined the national team as a coach. One thought helps him keep life in perspective, the certainly that his existence will not end with death. “Dying will be the greatest moment,” Hendrawan adds. “I want to be in heaven. That will be the fulfilment of my life on earth. I already feel that I have accomplished all my targets and challenges but I want to be in heaven and meet Jesus Christ.”