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Olympic Bronze Medalist Lee Zii Jia Reflects on Paris 2024 and Beyond

Lee Zii Jia
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Malaysia’s premier badminton star, Lee Zii Jia, achieved a significant milestone in his career by winning the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. This achievement marked the first time Lee stood on the Olympic podium, cementing his place among the sport’s elite.

In an exclusive interview on “Talk Sports” with CGTN Sports Scene’s Zhu Mandan, Lee Zii Jia shared his emotions surrounding the historic moment and reflected on the challenges and triumphs of his journey.

“In recent years, after becoming a professional badminton player, there was a time when I almost gave up on my badminton career,” Lee revealed, shedding light on a particularly difficult chapter. “Every time I stepped on the court, I felt unhappy. I wasn’t enjoying badminton. In 2024, I won two titles and claimed one second place finish, as well as an Olympic bronze medal. I think I did okay. I have always been searching for consistency in my competitions.”

Securing the bronze medal was a moment of validation for Lee, who admitted that falling short in the semifinals initially left him questioning his efforts. However, he expressed gratitude for persevering through the pressure and seizing the opportunity.

“I think about how my other opponents tried so hard and didn’t get to where I was,” Lee reflected. “Like China’s Shi Yuqi and Denmark’s Anders Antonsen—they tried so hard to get to this point but weren’t able to do it. So I thought I have to give my all to win that match with the precious opportunity I had at the time.”

When asked to evaluate his overall performance in 2024, Lee offered a candid self-assessment: “I have always been searching for consistency in playing badminton, and even though I still haven’t mastered it this year, I think my performance in the first half of the year was quite okay. I won two titles, and claimed one second place finish, as well as an Olympic bronze medal. I think I did okay. I hope next year I can aim higher and achieve better results.”

A crucial figure behind Lee’s recent success is his coach, Wong Tat Meng. Lee expressed heartfelt appreciation for Wong’s role in elevating his game during a pivotal period in his career. Wong is set to depart from Lee’s coaching team, but his contributions have left a lasting impact.

“First of all, I want to thank him for making the decision to be my coach, leaving his home and becoming my coach,” Lee said. “My world ranking was very low at the time. I was at a low point in my career. He helped me a lot, aside from my own hard work. He helped me get my first Olympic medal after just a year-and-a-half. So I really want to thank him.”

Looking forward, Lee Zii Jia’s inspiring journey highlights the resilience and determination required to overcome challenges and reach the pinnacle of success in badminton. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance, support, and unwavering dedication.


Photo: Olympics.com

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