Rina Marlina’s Para-Badminton Journey from Household Work to Golden Glory

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The future is full of surprises. Few embody that truth more vividly than Indonesian para-badminton athlete Rina Marlina. On Sunday, January 25, 2025, she captured the women’s singles SH6 gold medal at the ASEAN Para Games in Thailand, defeating the host nation’s representative in straight sets, 21–5, 21–1.

For the 33-year-old from Ciakar Village, Cibereum, Tasikmalaya, West Java, the victory marked her third consecutive ASEAN Para Games gold, a remarkable hat-trick. Yet her path to the podium was anything but predictable. Back in 2009, Rina was working as a laborer and domestic helper, earning as little as IDR 150,000 a month.

“After my father passed away, my mother and I worked as housemaids around 2009–2010. The wages were about IDR 150,000 or IDR 300,000 per month, not per day,” she recalled with a smile after her match in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand, as quoted on the Indonesian Ministry of Youth and Sports official website.

Her love for badminton began in modest circumstances. Rina often served as a referee at a local sports hall near her home, earning pocket money. During breaks, she would sneak onto the court, motivated by the dream of one day playing before a crowd. In those early days, she improvised with a tin plate as a racket until, in 2019, she was finally called up to the national training camp.

“There was a badminton hall near my house. I often worked as a referee for pocket money. When others rested, I tried playing, and that motivated me. Back then, I used a tin plate because I couldn’t afford a racket,” she said, her eyes welling with emotion.

Her determination soon bore fruit. Before joining the national team, she won gold at the Peparda in Bogor, West Java, and at the 2019 National Championships. That same year, she earned her place in the national squad.

Behind her resilience stood the unwavering support of her mother, whose encouragement helped Rina overcome self-doubt and pursue her dreams. “I never imagined I could play badminton at the ASEAN Para Games, let alone the Paralympics. It’s unbelievable that I’ve traveled the world," she said.

"My mother always reminded me not to feel inferior. I’m grateful, happy, and proud to win another gold for Indonesia. This is my third consecutive ASEAN Para Games gold, and I’m glad I could defend it,” she added.

Looking ahead, Rina’s ambitions remain high. She hopes to compete at the Asian Para Games in Japan and qualify for the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles.

“I hope to target the Asian Para Games in Japan and the LA Paralympics, and hopefully bring home another gold for Indonesia. Thank you to the government and the Indonesian people for their support in helping me achieve this medal,” she concluded. ***