Determined spirit of Marcus Fernaldi Gideon: "I'll Make It Happen Until I Achieve It" [Inspiring Athletes' Tales]

Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, the top-ranked men's doubles player in the BWF world ranking alongside his partner Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo, is not just making waves in the badminton world but also in his home country, Indonesia.

Born into a family with a rich badminton heritage, Gideon began his journey in the sport at the tender age of nine. His father, Kurniahu Gideon, is a former national badminton legend and coach, and Gideon has been involved in the sport for as long as he can remember.

Gideon's determination to achieve his dream of becoming the best badminton player, despite the challenges and skepticism, has paid off. He has won various doubles titles, including gold at the 2018 Badminton Asia Team Championships. His current partnership with Sukamuljo, which began nearly four years ago, has been a successful one, with the pair currently holding the number one spot in the world rankings.

But Gideon's interests extend beyond badminton. He is passionate about road safety in Indonesia, a country where road hazards and driver behaviour pose significant challenges. In line with this, Gideon is partnering with Toyota to help improve road safety in his hometown of Jakarta.

Gideon is one of twelve athletes chosen by Toyota to champion the Start Your Impossible initiative, which aims to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and mobile society for all. Gideon sees the initiative as encouraging people to make the impossible possible.

In addition to his love for badminton and road safety, Gideon also has a personal interest in horror movies. If not a professional badminton player, Gideon would likely pursue a career in the automotive industry.

Looking ahead, Gideon's next goals are to win the World Championship and the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 title. He is also keen on helping improve road safety in Indonesia, hoping to make a positive impact on driver behaviour and road hazards.

Gideon's travel to-do list includes Ora Beach in the Maluku province, and it seems there's no stopping this ambitious and driven athlete. With his passion for badminton, road safety, and his home country, Gideon is truly a shining example of what can be achieved with determination and a never-say-die attitude.

Determined spirit of Marcus Fernaldi Gideon: "I'll Make It Happen Until I Achieve It" [Inspiring Athletes' Tales]