Liem Swie King

Liem Swie King (Chinese: 林水鏡; pinyin: Lín Shuǐjìng; born 28 February 1956) is an Indonesian former badminton player who excelled from the late 1970s through the mid-1980s. He won the All England in 1978, 1979 and 1981. He was one of the world's leading singles players of his era. A world level player in men's doubles as well as men's singles, he was known for the ferocity of his jumping smash.[1]

Liem Swie King
Personal information
CountryIndonesia
Born (1956-02-28) 28 February 1956
Kudus Regency, Central Java, Indonesia
Height1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Years active1974-1988
HandednessRight
Men's singles and Men's doubles
Highest ranking1
Medal record
Men's badminton
Representing  Indonesia
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 1980 Jakarta Men's singles
Silver medal – second place 1983 Copenhagen Men's singles
Bronze medal – third place 1985 Calgary Men's doubles
World Cup
Gold medal – first place 1979 Tokyo Men's singles
Gold medal – first place 1980 Kyoto Men's singles
Gold medal – first place 1982 Kuala Lumpur Men's singles
Gold medal – first place 1984 Jakarta Men's doubles
Gold medal – first place 1985 Jakarta Men's doubles
Gold medal – first place 1986 Jakarta Men's doubles
Bronze medal – third place 1984 Jakarta Men's singles
Bronze medal – third place 1987 Jakarta Men's doubles
Thomas Cup
Gold medal – first place 1976 Bangkok Men's Team
Gold medal – first place 1979 Jakarta Men's Team
Gold medal – first place 1984 Kuala Lumpur Men's team
Silver medal – second place 1982 London Men's Team
Silver medal – second place 1986 Jakarta Men's team
Bronze medal – third place 1988 Kuala Lumpur Men's team
World Games
Bronze medal – third place 1981 Santa Clara Men's singles
Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 1978 Bangkok Men's singles
Gold medal – first place 1978 Bangkok Men's team
Silver medal – second place 1982 New Delhi Men's singles
Silver medal – second place 1982 New Delhi Men's team
Silver medal – second place 1974 Tehran Men's team
Bronze medal – third place 1974 Tehran Men's singles
Bronze medal – third place 1986 Seoul Men's doubles
Bronze medal – third place 1986 Seoul Men's team
Asian Championships
Gold medal – first place 1976 Hyderabad Men's team
Silver medal – second place 1976 Hyderabad Men's singles
Silver medal – second place 1987 Semarang Men's team
Southeast Asian Games
Gold medal – first place 1977 Kuala Lumpur Men's singles
Gold medal – first place 1977 Kuala Lumpur Men's team
Gold medal – first place 1979 Jakarta Men's team
Gold medal – first place 1981 Manila Men's singles
Gold medal – first place 1981 Manila Men's team
Gold medal – first place 1983 Singapore Men's team
Gold medal – first place 1985 Bangkok Men's team
Gold medal – first place 1987 Jakarta Men's doubles
Gold medal – first place 1987 Jakarta Men's team
Silver medal – second place 1985 Bangkok Men's doubles

Early life

Liem was born on 28 February 1956 in Kudus Regency, Central Java.[2] His parents were Ng Thian Poo and Oei See Moi from Putian, Fujian.[3] He was the only son of eight children. During elementary school, he studied at Sekolah Tionghoa, and later moved to SD Negeri Dema'an II in 1965.[4] In 1974, he chose a name suggested by his older sister, Guntur (meaning: thunder), in order to comply with government direction for any Indonesian with Chinese name to adopt what is considered as an "Indonesian name",[5] however it did not affect how people addressed him in public or in competition. His physical trainer, Tahir Djide, said, "It is easier to pronounce King, rather than Guntur".[5]

Career

While watching a local badminton competition, Budi Hartono, the owner of a prestigious badminton club, Djarum Badminton Club, recognized Liem's talent at the age of 14. Despite the loss he took in the final match, Liem was invited to join the club.[6] With proper coaching, it did not take long for the teenage Liem to start overwhelming opponents with his fast-paced style in various local youth badminton tournaments.

In 1972 at the age of 15, Liem became the junior single champion of Central Java. In November 1972, he tasted his first international tournament, the First Djakarta Badminton Open Tournament, defeating Singapore's Ng Choi Yu in the first stage, before succumbing to Thailand's Sangob Ratananusorn. Later, he won Moenadi Cup, in men's singles and men's doubles categories, pairing with his childhood friend, Hariamanto Kartono.[7]

In 1973, Liem was called to join the provincial badminton squad for National Sports Competition (Pekan Olahraga Nasional) VIII. He reached the men's singles final by defeating senior players, before finally losing to a veteran national squad member, Iie Sumirat. In the same year, he won a local tournament, Kejuaraan Dunia Bulu Tangkis Piala Garuda (Garuda Cup Badminton World Championship) in Tegal.[8]

While still in high school, in 1974, Liem won the national championship. In the same year he participated in the All England for the first time. Later on, Liem won the All-England Men's Singles Championships in 1978, 1979 and 1981 during a six-consecutive-year run to the finals (19761981) of what was then perhaps the world's most prestigious badminton tournament. He was the runner-up at the then triennial World Championships in both 1980 and 1983 to, consecutively, fellow Indonesians Rudy Hartono and Icuk Sugiarto. He was a member of the Thomas Cup winning Indonesian teams of 1976, 1979, and 1984, playing both singles and doubles on the latter two occasions.[9] He also played in the Thomas Cup in the years 1982 and 1986. He was a bronze medalist in the men's doubles together with Kartono at the 1985 IBF World Championships in Calgary.

He retired from badminton in 1988, and now owns a health spa in Jakarta.

"King Smash"

Liem's is well known for his iconic jumping smash, which has been recognized as the most aggressive type of offensive strokes in badminton. Although some players were claimed to originate the move, Liem was widely accepted as the man who popularized the jumping smash. Unlike most pro players before him, who used hopping leg action to compensate the lateral gap to reach the shuttlecock, Liem effectively used a higher vertical leap in executing his smash.

As his popularity increased, badminton enthusiasts around the world began to associate that kind of hard-hitting, leaping smash with Liem, earning it the nickname King Smash. Liem's move was considered revolutionary during his era, but now it has become a standard attacking skill for badminton pros.

Liem's vertical leap explosiveness came from his low crouching stance before launching his jump, he then intercepted the shuttlecock at high altitude with a ferocious whipping strike, or sometimes a deceptive drop shot which immobilized his opponent who was expecting a slamming hit from him. By intercepting the shuttlecock at higher altitude, Liem was able to deliver a shot with steeper angle. Given his average stature, his jump-smash made a quite dramatic visual for the spectators, due to the perceived height of his leap. In an interview, Liem explained that he began to do jump-smash around 1977. He liked fast-paced style and simply wanted to hit the shuttlecock quicker. No coaches complained about it since they saw it improved Liem's game.[10]

Racket known to have been used by Liem is Carbonex 15.

Personal life

King met his wife Lucia Alamsah in 1976 and they have three children, Alexander, Stephanie and Michelle. King's life and achievements were the inspiration for the 2009 Indonesian movie "King" (2009) in which he made a cameo appearance. That same year, Robert Adhi Kusumaputra published a biography on the Indonesian legend, titled "Call Me, King" (Panggil Aku, King).

Awards and nominations

Award Year Category Result Ref.
Badminton World Federation 2002 Badminton Hall of Fame Inducted [11]

Achievements

IBF World Championships

Men's Singles

1980 IBF World Championships – Men's singles
Round Opponent Score Result
Final Indonesia Rudy Hartono 9–15, 9–15 Silver Silver
1983 IBF World Championships – Men's singles
Round Opponent Score Result
Final Indonesia Icuk Sugiarto 8–15, 15–12, 16–17 Silver Silver

Men's Doubles

1985 IBF World Championships – Men's doubles
Round Partner Opponent Score Result
SF Indonesia Hariamanto Kartono South Korea Kim Moon-soo
South Korea Park Joo-bong
11–15, 15–17 Bronze Bronze

World Cup

Men's singles

Year Venue Opponent Score Result
1979 Tokyo, Japan Indonesia Iie Sumirat 15–8, 15–8 Gold Gold
1980 Kyoto, Japan Japan Masao Tsuchida 15–6, 15–10 Gold Gold
1982 Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Malaysia Misbun Sidek 15–12, 3–15, 15–12 Gold Gold
1984 Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia China Han Jian 14–17, 13–15 Bronze Bronze

Men's doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1984 Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia Indonesia Hariamanto Kartono China Li Yongbo
China Tian Bingyi
15–8, 15–1 Gold Gold
1985 Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia Indonesia Hariamanto Kartono China Li Yongbo
China Tian Bingyi
15–11, 11–15, 15–11 Gold Gold
1986 Istora Senayan, Jakarta, Indonesia Indonesia Bobby Ertanto Indonesia Hadibowo Susanto
Indonesia Rudy Heryanto
15–6, 15–5 Gold Gold
1987 Stadium Negara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Indonesia Eddy Hartono South Korea Park Joo-bong
South Korea Kim Moon-soo
7–15, 18–13, 13–15 Bronze Bronze

World Games

Men's singles

Year Venue Opponent Score Result
1981 San Jose Civic Auditorium, California, United States Denmark Morten Frost 14–18, 15–11, 6–15 Bronze Bronze

Asian Games

Men's singles

Year Venue Opponent Score Result
1974 Amjadieh Sport Complex, Tehran, Iran Malaysia Tan Aik Mong 15–12, 15–10 Bronze Bronze
1978 Bangkok, Thailand China Han Jian 15–7, 15–11 Gold Gold
1982 Indraprastha Indoor Stadium,
New Delhi, India
China Han Jian 16–18, 10–15 Silver Silver

Men's doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1986 Olympic Gymnastics Arena, Seoul, South Korea Indonesia Bobby Ertanto China Li Yongbo
China Tian Bingyi
6–15, 9–15 Bronze Bronze

Asian Championships

Men's singles

Year Venue Opponent Score Result
1976 Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium, Hyderabad,
India
China Hou Jiachang 16–17, 9–15 Silver Silver

Southeast Asian Games

Men's singles

Year Venue Opponent Score Result
1977 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Indonesia Dhany Sartika 15–9, 15–5 Gold Gold
1981 Manila, Philippines Indonesia Hastomo Arbi 15–2, 15–7 Gold Gold

Men's doubles

Year Venue Partner Opponent Score Result
1983 Singapore Badminton Hall, Singapore Indonesia Hadibowo Susanto Indonesia Bobby Ertanto
Indonesia Christian Hadinata
15–8, 9–15, 5–15 Silver Silver
1985 Chulalongkorn University Indoor Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand Indonesia Hariamanto Kartono Malaysia Jalani Sidek
Malaysia Razif Sidek
15–6, 11–15, 5–15 Silver Silver
1987 Kuningan Hall, Jakarta, Indonesia Indonesia Eddy Hartono Thailand Sawei Chanseorasmee
Thailand Sakrapee Thongsari
17–14, 15–9 Gold Gold

International Open Tournaments (14 titles, 8 runners-up)

Men's singles

Year Tournament Opponent Score Result
1976 All England Indonesia Rudy Hartono 7–15, 7–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1977 All England Denmark Flemming Delfs 17–15, 11–15, 8–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1977 Swedish Open Denmark Flemming Delfs 15–4, 15–8 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1978 All England Indonesia Rudy Hartono 15–10, 15–3 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1978 Denmark Open Sweden Thomas Kihlström 8–15, 15–9, 15–7 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1979 All England Denmark Flemming Delfs 15–7, 15–8 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1980 All England India Prakash Padukone 3–15, 10–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1980 English Masters Indonesia Rudy Hartono 15–11, 15–3 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1981 All England India Prakash Padukone 11–15, 15–4, 15–6 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1983 Indonesia Open Indonesia Hastomo Arbi 15–6, 15–1 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1983 Malaysia Open Indonesia Hastomo Arbi 15–11, 15–1 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1984 All England Denmark Morten Frost 15–9, 10–15, 10–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1984 Japan Open Denmark Morten Frost 8–15, 1–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1984 World Grand Prix Finals Denmark Morten Frost 5-15, 4-15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up

Men's doubles

Year Tournament Partner Opponent Score Result
1985 Indonesia Open Indonesia Hariamanto Kartono China Li Yongbo
China Tian Bingyi
15–5, 15–10 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1986 Indonesia Open Indonesia Hariamanto Kartono Malaysia Razif Sidek
Malaysia Jalani Sidek
15–3, 12–15, 15–12 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1987 Chinese Taipei Open Indonesia Eddy Hartono Sweden Stefan Karlsson
Denmark Mark Christiansen
15–4, 15–5 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1987 Japan Open Indonesia Eddy Hartono South Korea Lee Deuk-choon
South Korea Shon Jin-hwan
15–4, 15–7 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1987 Thailand Open Indonesia Eddy Hartono China Li Yongbo
China Tian Bingyi
13–15, 11–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
1987 Indonesia Open Indonesia Eddy Hartono Indonesia Bobby Ertanto
Indonesia Rudy Heryanto
15–6, 15–8 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1987 Singapore Open Indonesia Bobby Ertanto Indonesia Hadibowo
Indonesia Rudy Heryanto
15–2, 15–4 1st place, gold medalist(s) Winner
1988 US Open India Prakash Padukone Indonesia Christian Hadinata
Indonesia Lius Pongoh
15–7, 11–15, 13–15 2nd place, silver medalist(s) Runner-up
  IBF Grand Prix tournament
  IBF Grand Prix Finals tournament

Award

Liem was inducted into the Badminton Hall of Fame in 2002.[9]

References

  1. The King Smash on YouTube
  2. Ksp 2009, p. 17
  3. "Putian combines badminton with Mazu culture".
  4. Ksp 2009, pp. 15–16
  5. Ksp 2009, p. 21
  6. "Liem Swie King | BWF Virtual Museum". bwfmuseum.isida.pro (in Russian). Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  7. Ksp 2009, p. 33
  8. Ksp 2009, pp. 34–36
  9. Setyautama & Mihardja 2008, p. 214
  10. "Liem Swie King: Rudy Hartono Pemain Terbaik Sepanjang Masa".
  11. "Daftar Pebulutangkis Indonesia yang Masuk Hall of Fame BWF" (in Indonesian). Indosport. 26 April 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2021.

Bibliography

  • Kusumaputra, Robert Adhi (2009). Panggil Aku King [Call Me King] (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Penerbit Buku Kompas. ISBN 978-979-709-421-8.
  • Setyautama, Sam; Mihardja, Suma (2008). Tokoh-Tokoh Etnis Tionghoa di Indonesia [Figures of Ethnic Chinese in Indonesia] (in Indonesian). Jakarta: Kepustakaan Populer Gramedia. ISBN 978-979-9101-25-9.
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