In a stunning display of skill and determination, Lee Zii Jia has etched his name in Malaysia’s Olympic history by securing the nation’s second bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. The shuttler triumphed over India’s tenacious Lakshya Sen, with scores of 13-21, 21-16, 21-11, in a match that showcased the very essence of perseverance.
The road to this victory was paved with challenges. Lee’s impressive Olympic journey came to an unexpected halt on Sunday (4 August), when he faced Thailand’s world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn, succumbing with scores of 14-21, 15-21. Although the Malaysian shuttler aimed for gold, the bronze medal represents a significant achievement and an improvement from his last-16 finish at the Tokyo Olympics 2020.
Lee Zii Jia secures Malaysia’s second bronze medal at the Paris Olympics 2024
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In the match against 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games gold medallist from India, Sen dominated the first game with a 10-4 lead, eventually winning 21-13. The second game saw a shift in momentum as Lee took control, leading 12-8 and winning the final three points to force a deciding game. In the third game, Sen required medical attention, and Lee capitalised on this, opening up a 9-2 lead and ultimately winning the match.
The 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games gold medallist from India opened a 10-4 lead in the first game and was able to maintain the comfortable cushion for the rest of the game. Though the second game was a different affair, with the Malaysian shuttler maintaining his momentum after going ahead 12-8 and winning the last three points to force a rubber game.
Lee’s victory follows the success of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, who also won a bronze medal by defeating Denmark’s world No. 2 pair, Anders Skaarup Rasmussen and Kim Astrup, in the men’s doubles competition yesterday.
Both Lee Zii Jia and Lakshya Sen made history with their performances. Sen became the first Indian man to reach an Olympic badminton semi-final, while Lee reached his first Olympic semi-final in his career.
At just 26, Lee Zii Jia joins an elite group of national shuttlers as the third Malaysian to win an Olympic medal in men’s singles, following in the footsteps of Rashid Sidek (1996 Atlanta Games) and Datuk Lee Chong Wei, who won silver in the 2008 Beijing, 2012 London, and 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
(Hero and feature images credit: Getty Images/ Alex Pantling)
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Written by
Melissa Foong
Senior Digital Writer, Entertainment and Dining
Born and raised in the beautiful city of Kuala Lumpur, Melissa loves writing all things entertainment, music and dining-related. She has written for BURO 24/7 and Augustman, and when she's not busy chasing deadlines, you can find her tucked in a blanket rereading her favourite series of fantasy novels, Harry Potter.
