In this biography
Quick facts
- Born
- 10 August 1981
- Birthplace
- Bandung, West Java
- Country
- Indonesia
- Nationality
- Indonesian
- Known for
- Winning Olympic men’s singles gold in 2004 and the world title in 2005
- Olympic title
- Men’s singles, Athens 2004
- World title
- Men’s singles, 2005
- Asian Games titles
- 2002 and 2006
- Signature strength
- Backhand technique and deception
- Public office
- Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, since 2024
Why this life matters
Taufik’s artistry and major-title record made him part of a defining generation of international badminton rivalries.
Timeline
Key moments
Entered the global circuit
Began competing internationally while still a teenager.
Won the Asian championship
Established himself among the leading men’s singles players.
Won Asian Games gold
Captured the first of two consecutive men’s singles titles.
Became Olympic champion
Defeated Shon Seung-mo in the Athens final.
Won the world championship
Added the global title in Anaheim to his Olympic gold.
Became deputy sports minister
Was appointed Indonesia’s deputy minister of youth and sports.
A gifted shot-maker
Developed in West Java’s badminton system, Taufik Hidayat reached elite senior competition as a teenager. His relaxed movement disguised sudden changes of pace, while a powerful backhand and control near the net became signatures of his game.
Olympic and world titles
Taufik won Olympic gold at Athens 2004 and the world championship the following year. He also took two Asian Games singles titles and multiple Indonesia Open crowns, achievements that covered every major level of competition.
A lasting international rivalry
Matches against Lin Dan, Lee Chong Wei and Peter Gade helped define men’s singles in the 2000s. After retiring in 2013, Taufik remained involved in badminton development and was appointed deputy minister of youth and sports in 2024.
Quick answers
Frequently asked questions about Taufik Hidayat
- Who is Taufik Hidayat?
- Taufik Hidayat is an olympic champion and Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports. Taufik’s artistry and major-title record made him part of a defining generation of international badminton rivalries.
- What is Taufik Hidayat best known for?
- Taufik Hidayat is best known for winning Olympic men’s singles gold in 2004 and the world title in 2005.
- When and where was Taufik Hidayat born?
- Taufik Hidayat was born on 10 August 1981 in Bandung, West Java.
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.
