Korean Media: After Defeating China, Indonesia's Badminton Team Receives Prize Money Equivalent to 76 Years of Salary!

On September 26, South Korean media outlet NewsPim published an article stating that the Indonesian men’s badminton team achieved a miraculous 3-2 comeback victory over China’s national team, overcoming a 0-2 deficit to claim triumph. After a 28-year drought, the team not only reclaimed Asia’s top ranking but also secured a once-in-a-lifetime windfall prize.

In the men’s team final of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, the Indonesian men’s badminton squad delivered a stunning reversal, defeating China—the so-called "world’s strongest"—with a 3-2 victory to capture gold. Trailing 0-2 in the match, they won three consecutive sets to complete the comeback. This historic achievement marks the first time since the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games that Indonesia has regained the men’s team title at the Asian Games.

The entire nation erupted in celebration, triggering an unprecedented nationwide surge in spending. On the evening of the 25th local time, President Prabowo Subianto expressed his elation on social media, stating: “We have ended a 28-year wait.” He warmly welcomed the athletes home, adding: “I sincerely thank the players for their relentless effort and dedication, and I hope you continue to elevate Indonesia’s prestige on the global stage.”

The most striking aspect was the scale of financial guarantees promised by President Prabowo. Earlier, he pledged a prize of 300 million Indonesian rupiah (approximately 1.13 million RMB) for each athlete who wins gold at the Asian Games. He further affirmed that support would extend beyond gold medalists to include silver and bronze medalists, as well as their coaching staff.

According to data from Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency, as of February 2026, the average monthly net wage for manufacturing workers stood at 3.289621 million rupiah (approximately 1,235 RMB).

Based on this figure, the 300 million rupiah gold medal bonus represents an astronomical sum for the average worker—equivalent to 912 months, or 76 years, of savings.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877382492253259/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.