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National men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia today won the bronze medal after an exhilarating match against India’s Lakshya Sen at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Zii Jia won 13-21, 21-16, 21-11 against Lakshya in a tense 71-minute match at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena.
Lakshya came in strong in the 1st match
The first game set a tone of uncertainty, as Laksya took the win with a score of 21-13. The Indian player’s strong defense caused Zii Jia to make several unforced errors, allowing Laksya to build an early lead.
For a moment it seemed like India’s number one shuttler had Lee Zii Jia on the ropes, but then Malaysia’s finest rebounded in the 2nd round.
In the second game, the momentum shifted. Despite starting strong with a 7-2 lead, Laksya suffered an elbow injury, which required medical attention for bleeding on his right hand.
This change in momentum gave Zii Jia a chance to come back from behind, ultimately gaining the lead and winning the second set with a score of 21-16.
Jia shifted into a higher gear in the 3rd match
In the decider, Lee Zii Jia took an early 3-1 lead, and suddenly, his body language changed.
Looking aggressive in the third game, he put immense pressure on Lakshya. After a second medical break, the look of the game completely changed, as the Malaysian started dominating the court.
Every time it seemed like the momentum would shift towards Lakshya, Lee kept striking back with explosive energy. In one furious exchange, the shuttler executed three smashes in a row. Lakshya gamely defended against two of them, but missed the third.
Ultimately, Lee Zii jia won the decider with a 10-point lead, giving Malaysia its 2nd bronze medal in this year’s Olympics.
Here’s a highlight of Zii Jia’s third match, where he makes two seemingly impossible saves:
Phenomenal rally. Gilaa Lee Zii Jia buat impossible save. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/WTtgcLt4kI
— leeziijia biceps (@leeziijiabiceps) August 5, 2024
This is Lee Zii Jia’s first Olympic medal and the 2nd bronze for Malaysia.
Lee is now the third men’s singles player to win a badminton medal in the Olympics after Rashid Sidek (bronze, 1996) and Datuk Lee Chong Wei, who won three silvers in 2008, 2012, and 2016.
Speaking to reporters after the win, Zii Jia broke down in tears, expressing the immense pressure he was under from the media scrutiny over his performance against reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand.
“I just told myself, don’t give up. Every morning I wake up, watch the news, nampak pasal nama saya…and I was wondering, apa yang saya buat salah? (what did I do wrong?) I just told myself, no matter how much they humiliate me, I will keep silent because I will prove to them (sic) I will get a gold someday.”
Lee Zii Jia sampai nangis wehh
Netizen Malaysia dah boleh stop kecam atlet kita. Korang lah penyebab atlet jadi down 😌#OlympicGames #Badminton #TeamMAS pic.twitter.com/WmlanEeMfF
— ʚїɞ 🌱 (@yuuzulth) August 5, 2024
We’re proud of you Zii Jia! Don’t let the haters get you down. You deserve all the kudos for your hard work and sacrifice!
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Read also: M’sian Badminton Duo Snatch Bronze Win From Jaws of Defeat at Paris Olympics 2024
M’sian Badminton Duo Snatch Bronze Win From Jaws of Defeat at Paris Olympics 2024
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