Malaysia has produced some of the best badminton players in the world. They have enriched the history of the sport. From Olympic medals to prestigious international titles, these shuttlers have not only brought glory to the nation but have also inspired generations.
Here’s a look at four of Malaysia’s most notable badminton stars.
Top 4 Badminton Players From Malaysia In History
Lee Zii Jia
Lee Zii Jia has risen as Malaysia’s top men’s singles player following the retirement of legend Lee Chong Wei. A major milestone in his career came at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he claimed the bronze medal after defeating India’s Lakshya Sen in a thrilling playoff, making him the third Malaysian men’s singles player to win an Olympic medal.
Zii Jia’s breakout moment came in 2021, when he won the prestigious All England Open, stunning defending champion Viktor Axelsen in a memorable final that lasted 74 minutes. The first game alone ended with a nail-biting 30-29 score in favor of Zii Jia.
- Bronze – Summer Olympics 2024
- Gold – Asian Championships 2022
- Bronze – Sudirman Cup 2021, 2023
- Bronze – Thomas Cup 2024
Lee Chong Wei
Arguably Malaysia’s greatest badminton player of all time, Lee Chong Wei holds numerous records and achievements. A three-time Olympic silver medalist, he led Malaysia’s most successful Olympics campaign in 2016, where the nation returned with four silvers and one bronze.
Chong Wei was ranked World No. 1 for a record 349 weeks, including over a year of uninterrupted reign. Over his 19-season career, he amassed 69 career titles and 34 runner-up finishes, solidifying his legacy in global badminton.
- Silver – 2008, 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics
- Three Silver medals and a Bronze medal in World Championships
- Bronze medal – Sudirman Cup 2009
- One Silver medal and four Bronze medals in Thomas Cup
Goh Liu Ying
One of Malaysia’s most celebrated female shuttlers, Goh Liu Ying left an indelible mark in the mixed doubles discipline. With long-time partner Chan Peng Soon, the duo reached as high as world No. 3 in the rankings and consistently featured among the sport’s elite.
Her career highlights include:
- Gold (Women’s Team) – 2009 SEA Games
- Gold (Mixed Team) – 2010 Commonwealth Games
- Gold (Mixed Doubles) – 2010 Asian Championships
- Silver (Mixed Doubles) – 2016 Rio Olympics
Also Read: Alwi Farhan: Profile, Net Worth, Personal Info, Career Highlights
Chong Wei Feng
A consistent performer, Chong Wei Feng joined the national team in 2004 and contributed steadily across team and individual events. Wei Feng also reached the semi-finals of the China Open in both 2012 and 2013, though he fell to Chen Long on both occasions. His achievements include:
- Gold (Mixed Team) – 2014 Commonwealth Games
- Silver (Men’s Team) – 2014 Thomas Cup
- Bronze (Men’s Team) – 2014 Asian Games
- Gold (Men’s Singles) – 2015 SEA Games
