With the Paris Summer Olympics 2024 getting closer and closer, let’s anticipate our Malaysian pride by looking back at significant events in Malaysia’s past in the realm of sports. We have had champions in all sports, from football and diving to badminton, and they have made us proud by wearing their hearts on their sleeve while representing the country.
Harimau Malaya, 2010 AFF Championship
Source: Vernon Chan via vernonchan
The Malaysian national football team, Harimau Malaya, has had some amazing moments recently by qualifying for the AFC Asian Cup and beating the Papua New Guinea team by a staggering 10 goals to none. But none come close to when Harimau Malaya won the AFF Championship, beating Indonesia in the finals 4-2 on aggregate. It is our biggest achievement in football, and we are anxiously waiting for our next one!
Julian Yee, 2018 Winter Olympics
Source: Rachel Au via Buro
Julian Yee Zhi-Jie began skating at an early age when his mother would take him to the Sunway Pyramid ice skating rink. When news spread that Julian qualified for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, he made waves in Malaysia. This would make him Malaysia’s first-ever Olympic figure skater! He may not have made it to the later rounds, but he has still made all Malaysians proud.
D4v41, VCT 2023 Pacific
Source: Riot Games
Esports are growing daily as more competitive games are introduced, with Valorant being one of the biggest esports today. In the Valorant scene is a team called Paper Rex(PRX), composed of both Malaysians and Singaporeans with their Malaysian leader, Khalish “d4v41” Rusyaidee. D4v41 has led PRX to many top-four finishes, but none will be as great as when PRX took home the VCT 2023 Pacific by beating South Korean team DRX in the final with a reverse sweep. Malaysians are looking forward to watching d4v41 dominate the esports scene more.
Malaysian National Dodgeball Team, Dodgeball World Championships
Source: Team Malaysia via twitter
Dodgeball may not be the most popular sport in Malaysia, but that doesn’t mean we cannot dominate! The Malaysian national dodgeball team has not one world champion title under their belt, but five! Starting in 2016, when the Malaysian women’s team won in Melbourne, they have continued their reign of domination until the most recent championships in Edmonton, Canada. Undoubtedly, they can bring home the title in 2023 as well!
Lee Chong Wei, 2008, 2012, 2016 Summer Olympics
Source: Olympics
The most prominent badminton figure to emerge from Malaysia, Lee Chong Wei, has made Malaysia proud so many times that we lose count! He has been bringing home gold from international tournaments since 2013. Lee Chong Wei has performed on the biggest stages in badminton and showed he belongs by reaching the Olympic badminton finals 3 times in his career! With his many other medals, this has arguably made him Malaysia’s best athlete.
Mushi and Moon, 2018 Dota 2 Asian Championships
Source: Valve
Adding another remarkable esports achievement to the list, this time within the realm of the immensely popular MOBA game “Dota 2”. Within the team “Mineski”, two Malaysians, Mushi and Moon, etched their names into history. Their dominance shone brightly at the 2018 Dota 2 Asian Championships in Shanghai. In a testament to their skill and teamwork, Mineski emerged victorious, prevailing over the other team “PSG.LGD” in a thrilling best-of-5 showdown, with a final score of 3 to 2. This triumph garnered them an impressive grand prize of $370,000, solidifying their status as champions of the esports arena.
Abdul Latif Romly, 2021 Tokyo Paralympic Games
Source: Toyota Malaysia
Having secured a gold medal in the long jump at the previous Paralympics in Rio, Abdul Latif Romly entered the arena with one resolute goal: maintaining his position on the illustrious podium. Abdul overcame all competition with unwavering determination, clinching gold for the second consecutive time. Even more remarkable is that he achieved this feat while grappling with a groyne injury. Despite being unable to complete all six jumps in the event, his exceptional performance earned him the highest score, solidifying his triumphant claim to the gold medal.
Azizulhasni Awang, 2022 Austral Wheel Race
Source: Hakimi Ismail via Utusan Malaysia
Azizulhasni Awang, a seasoned professional track cyclist, has showcased an inspiring resilience journey. Despite undergoing open-heart surgery, he defied all odds to return to the competitive arena. His unyielding spirit propelled him to remarkable heights at the 2022 Austral Wheel Race in Melbourne, where he secured not one but two extraordinary podium finishes. Achieving the pinnacle of victory in the sprint final and earning a coveted silver in the keirin final, Azizulhasni’s triumphant comeback speaks volumes about his determination and unwavering courage. His story is a testament to the heart of a true champion, exemplifying resilience and the indomitable spirit to rise to the top.
Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, 2022 BWF World Championships Tokyo
Source: Bernama
The golden age of Malaysian badminton may not be over yet, as Men’s duo Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik took the crown at the Tokyo BWF World Championships. The two were the first badminton players to take home gold in 2022. They did it in fabulous style by beating 3-time world champions Mohamad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan of Indonesia. Aaron and Soh are currently setting their sights on gold at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, and we are fully behind them.
Hafizh Syahrin
Source: Monster Yamaha Tech3
While renowned figures like Valentino Rossi often dominate discussions about MotoGP, one rider stands out as the epitome of Malaysian MotoGP—Hafizh Syahrin. At age 24, Hafizh achieved a groundbreaking milestone by joining the esteemed Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team. In doing so, he not only became Malaysia’s first representative but also the first Southeast Asian rider to accomplish this feat. Watch for his dynamic performance as he leaves his rivals trailing behind on the track of the upcoming MotoGP at the iconic Sepang International Circuit.
Thank you for reading!
In the never-ending tale of Malaysian sports, these top 10 achievements stand as shining testaments to the nation’s determination, talent, and unyielding spirit. From the racetrack to the arena, from the courts to the global stage, these accomplishments have ignited national pride and resonated as sources of inspiration for generations to come. These achievements remind us that greatness is attainable through hard work, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. As Malaysians continue to leave their indelible marks on the world of sports, the legacy of these remarkable accomplishments will continue to fuel dreams and inspire future champions.
