Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja recounts early badminton training using pot lids

Professional badminton player Gloria Emanuelle Widjaja shared details regarding her early beginnings in the sport during the GenZone Talks at Universitas Tarumanagara on September 30, 2026.

Widjaja revealed that her introduction to badminton began at age seven through casual play with her family in front of their home. Due to a lack of professional equipment at the time, she used old-fashioned, round iron pot lids as makeshift rackets. Her family would purchase individual shuttlecocks from local shops to play together.

After observing her potential during these family sessions, her father encouraged her to pursue more serious training. This led her to begin training in Bekasi before eventually joining PB Djarum, where she competed in various disciplines including singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.