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ndonesian mixed-doubles pair Liliyana Natsir and Tontowi Ahmad made history by snatching their first All England title after outclassing Thomas Laybourn and Kamilla Rytter Juhl of Denmark 21-17, 21-19 in Sunday’s final.

Their victory ended Indonesia’s title drought at the prestigious event. Indonesia last won at the All England in 2003, when men’s doubles pair Sigit Budiarto and Candra Wijaya triumphed. As for mixed doubles, Indonesia last won in 1979 with Christian Hadinata and Imelda Wiguna.

“It is time for [Liliyana and Tontowi] to end my record with Imelda. I was confident that they could reach and win the final,” Christian, currently the Indonesian Badminton Association’s (PBSI) national training director, said.

Christian said the victory was a favorable omen for their continued good performance during the upcoming Olympic Games in London, from July 27 to Aug. 12.

“The most important thing is that they have to remain consistent. Mixed doubles has the tightest competition,” he added.

World No. 4 Liliyana and Tontowi seemed to have all the confidence they needed after entering the court.

The Indonesians took off, leaving the Danes behind, which Laybourn and Rytter Juhl equalized at 9-9.

Lilyana and Tontowi maintained an 18-17 lead before ending the first game 21-17.

In the second game, the Danish pair took their first point, but Liliyana and Tontowi were far from giving up. There was intense sparring throughout the whole set, and Rytter Juhl nearly choked at 9-5 for the Indonesians.

However, she managed to get her focus back, battling hard with Laybourn to tie 19-19 at a critical moment.

It was the time for the Indonesians, however, when Liliyana and Tontowi sealed the match 21-19.

In an earlier match, China’s Xuerui Li beat her compatriot Wihan Wang in women’s singles 21-13, 21-19.

In the all-Chinese women’s doubles finals, Qing Tian and Yunlei Zhao won 21-17, 21-12 over Xiaoli Wang and Yang Yu.

The men’s doubles match between China’s Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng and South Korea’s Jung Jae-sung and Lee Yong-dae and the men’s singles final between Malaysian Lee Chong Wei and China’s Lin Dan were still ongoing as of press time.