KUALA LUMPUR: Three-time Olympic silver medallist Lee Chong Wei, on Thursday, was crowned best athlete for the second time at the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM)-100PLUS Awards 2016.
The 35-year-old shuttler won the award ahead of diving duo Pandelela Rinong-Cheong Jun Hoong, Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong (badminton), Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying (badminton), Azizulhasni Awang (cycling), Mohd Al-Jufferi Jamari (silat) and Moto3 rider Khairul Idham Pawi.
Chong Wei, had previously won the award back in 2008, the same year he won his first silver medal at the Beijing Olympics.
Apart from winning the silver medal at the Rio Olympic Games last year, Chong Wei also won the Malaysia Masters, Malaysia Open, Asia Badminton Championships and the Japan Open.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi won the inaugural Best Paralympic Athlete award for his feat in clinching Malaysia’s first gold medal at the Rio Paralympic Games in men’s 100 Meter (T36) race.
In the same year, the Perlis-born sprinter also won gold at both the IPC Athletics Championships in China and Asia Oceania.
Both Chong Wei and Ridzuan received a trophy and RM10,000 each from Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Diver Nur Dhabitah Sabri, 17, was named Best Young Athlete following her consistent showing throughout the year 2016 which also earned her a spot in the women’s 10m platform event at the Rio Games.
The National Silat Federation of Malaysia (PESAKA) received the Dynamic Sports Association award while Bukit Jalil Sports School’s Megat Syafique Syazwan Mohd Khairul won the Education Ministry League best player award.
Best Athlete - Lee Chong Wei
Best Paralympic Athlete - Mohamad Ridzuan Mohamad Puzi
Best Young Athlete - Nur Dhabitah Sabri
Dynamic Sports Association - National Silat Federation of Malaysia (PESAKA)
Education Minister League 2016 Best Player - Megat Syafique Syazwan Mohd Khairul