So long, Taufik, and thanks for the memories

Born and raised in Bandung, he came under the influence of Iie Sumirat, Indonesia’s former maverick player, who instilled in him many of his values. Taufik immediately shot up the ranks in quick time, and to a nation seeking successors to the generation of Allan Budi Kusuma and Ardy Wiranata, Taufik offered succour. The youngster attracted hysterical adulation from home fans right through his career. That attention also seemed to affect him, for he had frequent run-ins with his association.

Talent-wise, Taufik was the best of his generation. A complete player, blessed with every stroke in the book, he made badminton look effortless. He toyed with world-class opponents, making them run the length and breadth of the court, while he himself would orchestrate the play from the centre, looking unruffled. In an age of speed and power, Taufik brought back old-school virtues – he was unmatched at the net and in craftsmanship. But those weren’t his only strengths. He could hit hard – his backhand smash was a potent weapon – and he held for a while the record for the hardest smash.

One cannot talk of Taufik without mentioning his principal opponent, Lin Dan. Taufik will be remembered as a more skilful player than Lin Dan, and indeed, his greatest moments were in vanquishing Lin in the World Championships final and Asian Games final. The two, along with Lee Chong Wei and Peter Gade, were standout examples for the pinnacle of skill and athletic ability in badminton.

One hopes Taufik will have inspired yet more prodigies from his home country to take on his mantle. But don’t expect that to happen for a while – a Taufik Hidayat in one generation is rare enough.