In this biography
Quick facts
- Born
- 11 August 1987
- Birthplace
- Jakarta
- Country
- Indonesia
- Nationality
- Indonesian
- Known for
- Winning Indonesia’s first Olympic women’s doubles gold medal
- Olympic title
- Women’s doubles, Tokyo 2020
- Olympic partner
- Apriyani Rahayu
- Asian Games title
- Women’s doubles, 2014
- Retired
- 12 June 2022
Why this life matters
Greysia Polii turned setbacks, changing partnerships and unusual longevity into Indonesia’s first Olympic women’s doubles title and a later role representing athletes in badminton governance.
Timeline
Key moments
Faced an Olympic disqualification
Was disqualified with Meiliana Jauhari in London during a group-stage controversy involving four pairs.
Won the Asian Games
Captured women’s doubles gold with Nitya Krishinda Maheswari in Incheon.
Formed a partnership with Apriyani Rahayu
Combined senior tactical experience with the younger player’s power and movement.
Won Olympic gold in Tokyo
Defeated Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan to secure Indonesia’s first women’s doubles Olympic title.
Retired at Istora Senayan
Closed her playing career with a testimonial during the Indonesia Masters.
A career rebuilt more than once
Greysia Polii reached the Olympics in 2012 but left London amid the disqualification of four pairs accused of trying to manipulate the draw. She returned with Nitya Krishinda Maheswari, winning the 2014 Asian Games and reaching the Rio 2016 quarter-finals.
Experience meets a new partnership
After Nitya’s injuries, Greysia partnered Apriyani Rahayu in 2017. Their roles were complementary: Greysia organised rallies and managed pressure, while Apriyani supplied speed and attacking force. World championship bronzes in 2018 and 2019 marked their rise.
Tokyo and a final chapter
The pair entered Tokyo 2020 outside the top seeds but won every match, including the final against China’s Chen Qingchen and Jia Yifan. At 33, Greysia became the oldest female Olympic badminton champion at the time, then retired in 2022 after ensuring Apriyani had time to establish a new partnership.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions about Greysia Polii
- Who is Greysia Polii?
- Greysia Polii is an olympic badminton champion. Greysia Polii turned setbacks, changing partnerships and unusual longevity into Indonesia’s first Olympic women’s doubles title and a later role representing athletes in badminton governance.
- What is Greysia Polii best known for?
- Greysia Polii is best known for winning Indonesia’s first Olympic women’s doubles gold medal.
- When and where was Greysia Polii born?
- Greysia Polii was born on 11 August 1987 in Jakarta.
Sources and further reading
How this biography was checked
Core dates and offices are checked against the sources below. This profile was last reviewed on 8 September 2026.
