PUTRAJAYA – The Olympic gold may have eluded Malaysia yet again, but Malaysians remain proud of Datuk Lee Chong Wei who fought valiantly in a bid to make history.
The thousands gathered at Dataran Putrajaya for the match raised loud cheers and exchanged hugs when the Malaysian hero won a silver in the badminton men’s singles final against China’s Chen Long.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who was among the crowd, said Chong Wei had shown an admirable game play.
“I am very proud of his performance, although he didn’t win gold, he has shown a pattern of performance that is very admirable.
“I believe all Malaysians feel as proud as I did at that moment, where even if he didn’t win the top spot, it was a moment that raised Malaysia in the eyes of the world,” he told reporters after the match.
Chong Wei lost to Chen Long 18-21, 18-21 in the deciding match.
Earlier, Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen defeated Chong Wei’s long-time rival Lin Dan from China to take the bronze medal.
Malaysians who gathered to watch the intense final match at Dataran Putrajaya were all grateful for the second place, declaring Chong Wei their national hero and a champion.
SK Lee, 30, said she remained proud of Chong Wei, and was especially in awe of his performance.
“I have always been a fan of his, and to see him make it to the final in the Olympics is something very impressive already.
“He is always the true Malaysian hero,” said the teacher, who travelled from Rembau for the match.
Putrajaya Corporation security assistant Mohd Abd Fadhil Abd Rahman, 36, could not be happier that Chong Wei had given his very best on the court.
“There were moments during the match I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest, that’s how intense the match was!
“Still, I am proud of our Lee. I congratulate him and I want to say that this is not the end, Malaysia will get its gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics for sure,” he said.
Among the other VIPs present to watch the finals were the Prime Minister’s wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Youth and Sports deputy minister Datuk M. Saravanan and Olympic bronze medallist and national cyclist Azizulhasni Awang.
AFP, Reuters, The Straits Times
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