Malaysian badminton icon Lee Chong Wei has officially announced his retirement from international badminton, marking the end of a remarkable 19-year career. The 36-year-old made the emotional decision after being advised by his doctor to avoid high-intensity training due to his battle with nose cancer.
Lee expressed his disappointment that his dream of competing in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 would remain unrealized. However, he emphasized that his health was now his top priority. Reflecting on his decision, Lee revealed that his doctor had urged him to reduce the intensity of his training, recognizing the immense pressure he was under. Despite his determination to return to the court after his treatment, his doctor eventually encouraged him to prioritize rest.
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Throughout his illustrious career, Lee Chong Wei has left an indelible mark on the sport of badminton. His impressive record includes three Olympic silver medals, three World Championships silver medals, 47 World Superseries/World Tour titles, two Asian Championships golds, and four All England titles. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in leading the Malaysian team to the Thomas Cup finals in 2014 and securing two Commonwealth Games team championships.
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Expressing his gratitude, Lee extended his thanks to his coaches, Misbun Sidek, Hendrawan, and Tey Seu Bock, as well as his physios, support staff, and the Badminton Association of Malaysia. He also acknowledged the contributions of other national institutions that played a part in his successful career.
When asked if he had any regrets, Lee admitted that while he couldn’t help but feel some disappointment for not winning a gold at the Olympics or World Championships, he understood the importance of prioritizing his health. He expressed his hope that another Malaysian player would be able to achieve this feat and pledged his support towards that goal.
Lee Chong Wei made his debut in 2000, initially winning a bronze medal at the World Junior Championships alongside Lin Dan, another future badminton great. Over the course of the next decade, Lee emerged as one of the most prominent stars of his generation, alongside players like Lin Dan, Taufik Hidayat, and Peter Gade. In terms of consistency, Lee’s achievements are unparalleled, having held the world No.1 ranking for an incredible 200 consecutive weeks between 2008 and 2012.
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The announcement of Lee’s retirement garnered praise from Malaysia’s sporting community. Mohamad Norza Zakaria, the President of the Badminton Association of Malaysia, acknowledged Lee as an inspiration to Malaysians and expressed the nation’s sadness at bidding farewell to their hero and icon. Malaysia’s sports minister, Syed Saddiq, further lauded Lee as a hero for all Malaysians and announced that he would serve as the Chef-de-Mission for the Malaysian contingent at the upcoming Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
FAQs
Q: Why did Lee Chong Wei retire from international badminton?
A: Lee Chong Wei decided to retire due to advice from his doctor, who advised him to avoid high-intensity training as he battled nose cancer. Prioritizing his health, Lee made the difficult decision to step away from the sport.
Q: What are Lee Chong Wei’s notable achievements in badminton?
A: Lee Chong Wei’s remarkable career is highlighted by his numerous accolades, including three Olympic silver medals, three World Championships silver medals, 47 World Superseries/World Tour titles, two Asian Championships golds, and four All England titles. He also led the Malaysian team to the Thomas Cup final in 2014 and secured two Commonwealth Games team championships.
Summary
Lee Chong Wei, the Malaysian badminton legend, announced his retirement from international badminton amid his battle with nose cancer. Despite his disappointment at not being able to fulfill his dream of competing in the Tokyo Olympics, Lee prioritized his health and made the difficult decision to step away from the sport. Throughout his career, he earned numerous accolades, including Olympic and World Championships silver medals, World Superseries/World Tour titles, and Asian Championships golds. Lee’s retirement received praise from the Malaysian sporting community, with him being hailed as an inspiration to all Malaysians.
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