“Duel” Fire Dragon vs Snow Dragon, When Master and Student Meet

The semifinal match of the Kapal Api Indonesia Open 2025 in the men's doubles sector will feel even more special. This is not only because Indonesia has two representatives who will compete on the court, but also because it features two coaches who are both legendary figures in Indonesian badminton, Herry Iman Piengardi and Hendra Setiawan.

In one of the semifinal matches, the Indonesian men's doubles team, Sabar Karyaman/Mohammad Reza Pahlevi, will face the representatives from Malaysia, Man Wei Chong/Kai Wun Tee. The match, which will take place at the Gelora Bung Karno Sports Hall, Senayan, Jakarta, on Saturday (7/6/2025), will also mark the moment when Hendra and Herry IP are once again on the same court.

Unlike in previous moments, this time Hendra is no longer in the middle of the field. He is no longer acting and fighting as a player under the guidance of coach Herry IP, who is nicknamed "Fire Dragon" by the fans.

Hendra, nicknamed "Snow Dragon," and Herry IP will both be on the sidelines, sitting in the coaching chairs. They will meet as coaches for their respective mentees facing each other. This is a meeting between student and teacher.

"Yes, of course Koh Herry IP, right, has more knowledge. However, I hope we can perform optimally. So, what's important now is for Sabar/Reza from their recovery. Hopefully they can recover," said Hendra who trained Sabar/Reza. Reza played the Indonesia Open with a back injury.

Since the All England 2025 in March, Hendra has been accompanying Sabar/Reza. Meanwhile, Herry IP has been leading the Malaysian men's doubles squad starting this year. One of Herry IP's protégés is Man Wei Chong/Tee Kai Wun, who will be facing Sabar/Reza.

Indonesia Open became the first tournament for Herry to accompany Man/Tee and the Malaysian men's doubles pair in Indonesia. After not being selected by PP PBSI 2024-2028 to coach at the Cipayung national training center in Jakarta, Herry IP was recruited by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM).

Before migrating to Malaysia, the 62-year-old coach had served as the coach of the Indonesian mixed doubles team for approximately one year. Meanwhile, for about 24 years, Herry IP coached the men's doubles national training team.

Throughout his long career, Herry IP has produced many male doubles players who have become part of the elite world players, including Hendra Setiawan. Under Herry IP's guidance, Hendra achieved several prestigious accomplishments, such as three world championship titles in 2013, 2015, and 2019 alongside Mohammad Ahsan. Therefore, it can be said that Herry IP is a mentor to Hendra.

"Actually, this is also Koh Herry's first time in Malaysia, and it is my first time meeting him as well. So, I cannot say much about the game. However, what is important is our strategy, which we will implement first," said Hendra.

Herry IP stated that it is actually quite common for him to see his students become coaches and then become opponents in a match. He experienced this when his student, Rexy Mainaky, became the men's doubles coach for Malaysia and faced him as a rival in a competition.

Herry IP also said that Hendra has a talent for coaching. Moreover, he has a lot of experience and is close to the players.

Since announcing his retirement as a player in December 2024 and playing his last match with Mohammad Ahsan in January 2025, Hendra actually did not intend to immediately become a coach. However, Sabar stated that Hendra had expressed his willingness to be asked for assistance if the pair needed it.

Sabar/Reza is known to have followed in the footsteps of Hendra/Ahsan when they were still competing by deciding to leave the national training center. They became independent players and received support from the culinary company, Waroeng Steak, which also sponsors Hendra/Ahsan.

Hendra's willingness was utilized by Sabar/Reza to ask him to become their coach. Sabar stated that although Hendra is a quiet person, they actually feel comfortable being trained by him.

Because, Hendra can deliver instructions to the point. "Because he is a calm person, it is also contagious to the players. So they are calm during critical moments," said Sabar.

In the historically rich Istora, two legendary figures will duel with their respective teams. The presence of Herry, the "Fire Dragon," and Hendra, the "Snow Dragon," will make the semifinal match of the 2025 Indonesia Open feel even more special.