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Young and exciting talent always abounds from the Emerald of the Equator. While the likes of The Minions and the team of Praveen Jordan and Melati Daeva Oktavianti exemplify this, one singles player proves why Indonesia is where you look for new badminton talent. This player is none other than the scintillating singles sensation Jonatan Christie!
Jonatan Christie is one of the most promising singles players from Indonesia. Besides reigning as an Asian Games and Southeast Asian Games champion, Christie has won two Badminton World Federation (BWF) International Series titles and several runner-up finishes in many high-profile international competitions. Also among Christie’s accomplishments are four World Tour titles, with the most recent being the 2023 Indonesia Masters. As a national team member, Jonatan Christie was also instrumental in Indonesia’s 2020 victory at the Thomas Cup. Because of his contributions at the Thomas Cup, Christie won the Gatra Award — a prestigious award for athletes who have represented Indonesia in sports.
Jonatan Christie has only been a senior player for a few years. Nevertheless, he’s making waves in the men’s singles scene with performances that make for some fast-paced badminton action. Learn more about this up-and-coming player in my latest edition of Player Profile!
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Early Life and Junior Badminton Career
Leonardus Jonatan Christie was born on September 15, 1997. He is from Jakarta, Indonesia, where he has spent most of his young and adult life. As a child, Jonatan Christie was active. It was his high levels of activity that led him to badminton.
He began playing badminton when turned eight. At the time, he played recreationally in school until he developed enough skills to be competitive.
When turned 14, he made his junior debut at the 2011 Junior Open Badminton Challenge in his hometown. Despite an early exit at the event, Christie developed a taste for competitive badminton.
After the Junior Open Badminton Challenge, he returned to competition in 2012 at the 2012 Australian Junior International. At the tournament, he breezed to the semifinals but lost to his compatriot Fikri Hadamadi.
Success at the International Series — as a Junior Player!
In 2013, Jonatan Christie debuted in the International Series despite his junior status. His first tournament in the series was at the 2013 Maldives International. Unfortunately, he lost just after making it to the qualifying stages.
Unwilling to let a loss deter him, Christie took another swing a few weeks later. At the 2013 Indonesia International, he advanced to the finals for the first time. In the finals, he defeated fellow Indonesian shuttler Alamsyah Yunus in straight sets to win his first title.
A year later, Christie set out to defend his Indonesia International Crown. In the 2014 Indonesia International, he was once again a finalist. He faced South Korea’s Lee Hyun-Il in a match that went the distance. After a nail-biting five-game match, Christie lost, settling for the runner-up place.
Two months after the Indonesia International, Jonatan Christie took part in the 2014 Swiss International. Reaching the finals again, he defeated Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long in another match that went five games.
Winning the Swiss International, Jonatan Christie bagged his second International Series title — as a junior!
2017 SEA Games Title Victory
By 2017, Jonatan Christie had amassed enough senior experience to qualify for the Southeast Asian Games. At the 2017 Southeast Asian Games, Jonatan Christie advanced past the group stages to reach the qualifying rounds.
Breezing past the quarter-finals and semis, Christie came face to face with Thailand’s Khosit Phetpradab in the finals. The first game was close, with Christie winning by a narrow two points.
However, his endurance and fast-paced style prevailed as he won the second game decisively. In the second game, Christie bested his Thai opponent to win 21-10.
Winning the match, Jonatan Christie won the 2017 SEA Games men’s singles event.
2018 Asian Games Victory
2018 saw the beginning of Christie’s senior success — and it all began with his Asian Games title victory.
At the 2018 Asian Games, Jonatan Christie dominated the men’s singles event to reach the finals. Awaiting him in the finals was Taiwan’s up-and-coming Chou Tien Chen.
The two young shuttlers battled it out. The first game went Christie’s way as he won 21-18. However, Chou rallied from behind to win the second game 22-20.
With the third game in the balance, neither player gave an inch. In the end, Christie emerged victorious to win the third game 21-15.
Winning the match, Christie had finally won an Asian Games title — a prestigious title for the trophy cabinet of any men’s singles player.
World Tour Titles
After the 2018 Asian Games, Christie bagged more titles in the World Tour. Jonatan Christie won his first title at the 2019 New Zealand Open when he defeated Hong Kong’s Ng Ka Long again in the finals.
Christie then followed up his impressive New Zealand Open victory with another stellar finish at the Australian Open. At the 2019 Australian Open, Jonatan Christie bested his compatriot Anthony Sinisuka Ginting in a match that went three games.
Jonatan Christie added two more titles to his World Tour title collection after 2021. In 2022, he chalked up a dominating finals win against India’s Prannoy H.S. at the 2022 Swiss Open. In 2023, Christie put on another dominating performance in front of his hometown fans at the 2023 Indonesia Masters.
Jonatan Christie — Another Exciting Player To Watch
Jonatan Christie is only a few years into his senior badminton career. However, in the short time he has been on the scene, he has dominated numerous opponents and bagged several titles in various BWF competitions.
What’s next for this young shuttler from Indonesia? All we can do is sit back, watch the rankings, and stay tuned to the matches!
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