KUALA LUMPUR – Badminton has undoubtedly been Malaysia’s strongest sport at the Olympics, delivering a total of six silver and three bronze medals from the previous Games.
With the recent addition of two bronze medals from the ongoing Paris Olympics – one from the men’s doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik on Sunday, and another from men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia the day after – the tally now stands at five bronze medals.
Zii Jia’s achievement in his second Olympic appearance sparked enthusiastic celebrations nationwide, with badminton fans sharing their reactions online as soon as his victory was confirmed.
Zii Jia triumphed over India’s Lakshya Sen 13-21, 21-16, 21-11 in the bronze medal match.
Before the start of the Paris Olympics, the professional shuttler had openly declared his goal of winning a gold medal for Malaysia.
Despite not achieving his target, the celebrations from fans were boundless – ranging from people watching his match in their living rooms to live screenings at eateries, fireworks displays, and impromptu performances of the national anthem.
At Chong Hwa Independent High School in Kuala Lumpur, students celebrated Zii Jia’s bronze medal win by singing the national anthem.
In a mamak restaurant, fireworks lit up the sky after his victory.
However, some people question whether celebrating a bronze medal reflects a culture of mediocrity.
Earlier this year, former national shuttler Datuk Lee Chong Wei criticised the decline in Malaysian badminton, attributing it to a culture that celebrates mediocrity.
On X, user @Afiqkhairu91717 questioned whether Malaysian badminton players are improving or declining, pointing out that it has been two Olympics since Malaysia last won a silver or gold medal.
“Are badminton (players) getting better? It’s getting worse, it has been two Olympics now where we have not won a silver or gold medal. The sport is also majorly played by the Asian continent,”
Another user, @Aweeff, commented on the scale of celebrations for a bronze medal and speculated about the euphoria if Malaysia were to win its first Olympic gold.
“These celebrations are only for the bronze medal, I cannot imagine what it would be like if Malaysia actually won our first Olympic gold medal which has so far proven elusive to us.
“Tables and chairs are going to be thrown all over the place, and the roads across the country will undoubtedly be congested with people celebrating and partying,” he said.
Despite the debates, Zii Jia’s accomplishments deserve recognition as he had qualified for the Olympics to reach the semi-finals.
Expectations were high for Zii Jia and the Malaysian team at the 2024 Olympics, with hopes of securing Malaysia’s first gold medal.
This anticipation was fueled by the Road to Gold programme, an initiative launched by the Youth and Sports Ministry in March last year which was designed to help Malaysia win its first Olympic gold at the Paris Olympics and also at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
The government prepared a special RM20 million budget for the programme.
Other athletes, such as Nur Dhabitah Sabri and Rhodict Benedict Lises in diving, Aniq Kasdan in weightlifting, and Ashley Lau in golf, have yet to compete.
However, national track cyclist Datuk Azizulhasni Awang is still considered the top contender to end the country’s 68-year wait. – August 7, 2024
