Sulistyono played in the junior draw at the 1982 Wimbledon Championships and featured in the occasional professional tournament during the 1980s.

Debuting in Indonesia's Eastern Zone round one win over the Philippines, he was beaten in the opening singles rubber by Rod Rafael, but partnered with Donald Wailan to win in the doubles, then won in the reverse singles against Roselle Natividad.

[1] In the quarter-finals, against Thailand in Bangkok, Sulistyono featured only in the doubles rubber, which he and Wailan lost to give the home side an unbeatable 3–0 lead.

At the 1985 Southeast Asian Games, he won three medals, including a gold in the team event.

He won a bronze medal at the 1986 Asian Games in Seoul, partnering Donald Wailan in the men's doubles.