Cigarette Billionaire Quits Wine in Pursuit of Asian Gold Medal

Hartono competing in bridge competition in Jakarta Asian Games
Esports in Asian Games may open door for bridge in Olympics

Meet 78-year-old billionaire, Michael Bambang Hartono, aka the richest athlete in the Asian Games(Source: Bloomberg)

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By Tassia Sipahutar

August 22, 2018 at 9:00 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

For Michael Bambang Hartono, a professional bridge player, the risk-taking and quick decision-making skills required in the game were instrumental in amassing his $11.5 billion fortune.

Now the 78-year-old tycoon, whose family fortune spans from tobacco to banking and telecom, is bidding to become Indonesia’s oldest Asian Games medal winner. He’s paired with 65-year-old Bert Toar Polii as bridge makes its debut in the ongoing Asian Games in Jakarta.