Gabby Adcock
Gabby Adcock is the “First Lady” of modern British badminton, a player whose tactical aggression at the net redefined England’s
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Mohammad Ahsan
Mohammad Ahsan is a retired Indonesian badminton icon, widely celebrated as one of the most explosive and consistent men’s doubles players of his generation. Best known for his partnership with Hendra Setiawan (together known as “The Daddies”), Ahsan was the power engine of the duo, renowned for his lethal smash and aggressive rear-court dominance. A three-time World Champion and two-time All England winner, he is admired not just for his titles but for his exemplary sportsmanship and longevity, competing at the elite level well into his late 30s.
Basic Information
- Name: Mohammad Ahsan
- Date of Birth: 7 September 1987
- Nationality: Indonesia 🇮🇩
- Height: 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
- Handedness: Right-handed
- Playing Style: Aggressive attacking men’s doubles specialist
- Current Ranking: Retired
- Highest Ranking: World No. 1 (with Hendra Setiawan).
- Status: Retired (2025)
Career Highlights & Achievements
🏆 World Championships:
🥇 Gold – 2013 Guangzhou, 2015 Jakarta, 2019 Basel (with Hendra Setiawan)
🥈 Silver – 2017 Glasgow (with Rian Agung Saputro), 2022 Tokyo (with Hendra Setiawan)
🥉 Bronze – 2011 London (with Bona Septano)
🏆 Asian Games:
🥇 Gold – 2014 Incheon (with Hendra Setiawan)
🥉 Bronze – 2010 Guangzhou (with Alvent Yulianto)
🏆 BWF World Tour / Superseries / Grand Prix
🥇 Gold – All England Open – 2× Champion in men’s doubles (2014 & 2019 with Hendra Setiawan).
🥇 Numerous BWF Superseries / World Tour titles, including:
BWF World Tour: 4 titles, 15 runners-up
BWF Superseries: 9 titles, 5 runners-up
BWF Grand Prix: 6 titles, 1 runner-up
BWF International Challenge/Series: 3 titles, 2 runners-up
🏆 SEA Games:
🥇 Gold – 2011 Jakarta–Palembang (Men’s doubles with Bona Septano)
🥇 Gold – 2009 Vientiane, 2011 Jakarta–Palembang (Men’s team)
🏆 Team Events:
🏆 Thomas Cup:
🥇 Gold (1) – 2020 Aarhus
🥈 Silver (3) – 2010 Kuala Lumpur, 2016 Kunshan, 2022 Bangkok
🥉 Bronze (2) – 2014 New Delhi, 2018 Bangkok
🏆 Sudirman Cup:
🥉 Bronze (4) – 2009 Guangzhou, 2011 Qingdao, 2015 Dongguan, 2019 Nanning (Mixed Team)
Playing Style & Strengths
Ahsan is best known as a back-court attacker with one of the most dangerous smashes in men’s doubles, backed up by tight net follow-ups and calm tactical decision-making.
- Explosive Attacking: Steep, precise power smashes that target the hip and racket shoulder.
- Fast racket head and drives: Excellent at engaging in flat exchanges, using quick forehand/backhand drives.
- Big-match Temperament: Repeatedly raised his level at World Championships, Asian Games and All England.
- Defensive resilience: While known for attack, Ahsan’s defence is compact and patient.
Rivalries & Key Matches
🔹 Vs. Lee Yong Dae / Yoo Yeon Seong (Korea) – Classic clashes, including the 2014 Asian Games final where Ahsan/Hendra took gold in three games.
🔹 Vs. Marcus Fernaldi Gideon / Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (Indonesia) – Intra-national rivalry
🔹 Vs. Fajar Alfian / Muhammad Rian Ardianto (Indonesia) – The new generation who eventually succeeded The Daddies at the top level; they beat Ahsan/Hendra in significant matches like the 2022 World Tour Finals and All England finals.
Notable Matches
🏸 2013 World Championships Final – Ahsan/Setiawan vs Mathias Boe / Carsten Mogensen (DEN) – Gold in straight games; their first world title together.
🏸 2019 All England Final – Ahsan/Setiawan vs Aaron Chia / Soh Wooi Yik (MAS) – Famous for Ahsan battling injury while still helping secure the title in three games.
🏸 Farewell Match – Indonesia Masters 2025 – Ahsan/Setiawan vs Junaidi Arif / Roy King Yap (MAS) – Last international outing as The Daddies; they lost in straight games as fans held banners thanking them for their careers
Personal Life & Background
Mohammad Ahsan grew up in Palembang, South Sumatra, and started playing badminton at around 5 years old. After finishing junior school, he moved to Jakarta and joined the famous PB Djarum club, which opened the door to the Indonesian national team in 2008.
He initially partnered several players – including Alvent Yulianto and Bona Septano – achieving success such as a World Championships bronze (2011) and Asian Games medals. His career reached a new level when he teamed up with Hendra Setiawan at the end of 2012, debuting as a pair at the Denmark Open 2012. From there, “The Daddies” became one of the best men’s doubles pairs in the world, collecting three World Championship titles, an Asian Games gold, two All Englands and three season-ending Finals among many other accolades.
Off the court, Ahsan is known as a humble, religious family man. Indonesian media frequently highlight his fair-play attitude and his influence as a role model for younger players.
In April 2025, Ahsan and Hendra launched Daddies Arena Fitness & Badminton in Rawa Buntu, Serpong, Tangerang Selatan. The facility has eight badminton courts, a fitness centre, sauna and other amenities, with plans to develop it into a broader badminton hub and potential academy.
Trivia & Fun Facts
⭐ Multiple Partners, Same Success: He has won World Championships medals with three different partners – Bona Septano, Rian Agung Saputro and Hendra Setiawan.
⭐ Ahsan’s decision to finish the All England 2023 final despite a knee injury is often cited as a prime example of sportsmanship in badminton.
⭐ He observed fasting during the holy month of Ramadan even while competing in high-intensity tournaments
⭐ He and Hendra Setiawan are affectionately known as “The Daddies.”
⭐ Ahsan’s career win–loss record in men’s doubles stands at around 489 wins, 214 losses, reflecting extraordinary consistency over nearly two decades at the top level.
Latest News & Updates
- Officially retired from professional international badminton after the Daihatsu Indonesia Masters 2025, finishing with a round-of-16 exit alongside Hendra Setiawan against Junaidi Arif / Yap Roy King (13–21, 14–21).
- Daddies Arena opened on 30 April 2025 – Eight courts plus fitness facilities in Tangerang Selatan
- No full-time coaching role yet – Ahsan has explicitly said he is not ready to commit to coaching this year and has turned down offers from several Asian countries to prioritise family time.
FAQs
- Is Mohammad Ahsan still playing international badminton?
- No. He retired from international competition in early 2025, with his last tournament being the Daihatsu Indonesia Masters 2025.
- How many World Championship titles does Mohammad Ahsan have?
- Three World Championship golds in men’s doubles (2013, 2015, 2019), plus two silvers (2017, 2022) and one bronze (2011).
- What is Mohammad Ahsan doing now?
- He is focusing on family life and his badminton business project, Daddies Arena, while keeping the door open for potential coaching in Indonesia in the future.
- Did Mohammad Ahsan win an Olympic medal?
- While his partner Hendra Setiawan won Gold in 2008 (with Markis Kido), Ahsan’s best Olympic performance was reaching the semi-finals/bronze medal match (4th place) at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
- Why does Mohammad Ahsan wear leggings under his shorts?
- As a devout Muslim, he does this to cover his legs (aurat) in accordance with his religious beliefs.
