KUALA LUMPUR: Despite the disappointment of not being able to win the elusive Olympic gold medal, Lee Chong Wei has vowed to give it one last shot at the World Championships in Glasgow next year.
Chong Wei, 34, arrived at the Kompleks Bunga Raya in Sepang today together with the rest of the Malaysian medallists who competed at the recently-concluded Rio Olympic Games.
Malaysia produced its best performance so far in the history of the Games, winning four silver medals and one bronze.
Badminton proved to be the biggest contributor with three silver medals through Chong Wei, men's doubles Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong and mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying.
Chong Wei had raised hopes of bringing back the gold medal when he saw off his biggest rival Lin Dan in the semi-final.
It was, however, not meant to be for the Penangite who went down in straight games 21-18, 21-18 to another China shuttler Chen Long in the final.
“I know that many Malaysians had expected me to bring back the gold medal. I thought I could do it but Chen Long was better on the day.
“It is a little disappointing to return back with another silver medal but this is how it is. I am now focused on doing well for as long as I can jump and run.
“I will give the World Championships next year one last shot," said Chong Wei who also won silver at the Beijing Games (2008) and London Games four years ago.
On whether, he would go on to play at the Tokyo Games in 2020, Chong Wei added: "I have not thought about that yet. My focus now is on what happens next. I will return to playing in competitions beginning with the Japan Open (Sept 20-25)."
The other athletes who arrived today were V Shem-Wee Kiong, Peng Soon-Liu Ying and divers Pandelela Rinong-Cheong Jun Hoong.