Top 10 Indonesian Sports Heroes in 2026

Liliyana Natsir, a mixed doubles virtuoso, earned Olympic gold at Rio 2016 with Tontowi Ahmad, plus 4 World Championship titles. Her 35% partnership win rate after 2012 outpaces the average for top mixed doubles pairs, showcasing elite consistency. While she trails Rudy Hartono’s 8 consecutive All England titles in individual longevity, Natsir's 5 All England mixed doubles crowns make her a benchmark for endurance and precision in the category.

Eko Yuli Irawan is Indonesia's most decorated weightlifter, with four consecutive Olympic medals from Beijing 2008 to Tokyo 2020—a record unmatched by any other Indonesian athlete. He won silver at the 2018 Asian Games and bronze at the 2019 World Championships, totaling 3 world championship medals. Eko Yuli Irawan's longevity, including a 2016 Olympic silver and a 62kg total lift of 317kg at the 2018 Asian Games, solidifies his legacy.

Marcus Gideon and Kevin Sanjaya, known as The Minions, rewrote badminton history with their explosive attacking style, holding the world number one ranking for 128 weeks—the longest streak in men's doubles history. They won 10 BWF World Tour titles, including the 2018 Asian Games gold. Their aggressive net play remains a benchmark for modern doubles.

Bambang Pamungkas, Indonesia's most beloved footballer, scored 38 international goals in 85 caps, making him the country's all-time top scorer from 2004 to 2018. His career spanned nearly two decades, with six Liga Indonesia titles. At 1.70 meters, he leveraged agility and precision over physicality, earning the nickname "Bepe." His 2004 AFF Championship MVP award and 6 domestic titles cement his authority over other Indonesian football icons.

Greysia Polii became an Indonesian legend by winning Olympic gold in women's doubles at Tokyo 2020, ending a 20-year drought for the nation in badminton gold. Her perseverance through five Olympic cycles paid off at age 33, when she defeated China's top pair in a stunning final. She also secured gold at the 2010 Asian Games and 19 BWF titles, inspiring a generation.

Ellyas Pical remains Indonesia's most pioneering boxing champion, having seized the IBF super flyweight title in 1985 with a record of 38 wins and 21 knockouts. Pical defended his crown three times over two reigns, a durability unmatched by any previous Indonesian boxer.

Windy Cantika Aisah, at just 19 years old, lifted 222 kg total at Tokyo 2020 to claim Indonesia's only weightlifting bronze, placing her 7 kg ahead of the fourth-place finisher. She is the youngest Indonesian Olympic medalist in 28 years.