KUALA LUMPUR: Congratulatory messages and praises are pouring in for the national men's doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, who helped secure the country's first medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Among those who congratulated the pair was badminton legend Datuk Lee Chong Wei.
In a post on his Facebook page, Lee described today's match as intense, noting how both players turned around a losing game at every step to bring home Malaysia's first medal, a bronze.
"What a game! Congrats Aaron Chia - Wooi Yik! First Olympic medal for Malaysia! So proud of you boys.
"The second game... most people would think it's a lost cause. But you both never gave up. You crawled back... point by point... and made us proud.
"One of the best comebacks Malaysians have ever seen," he wrote in the post.
He said the two, Aaron from Melaka and Wooi Yik from Kuala Lumpur played a fantastic game to secure them the win.
"Thank you Aaron - Wooi Yik. You guys are our national heroes. Now Malaysia has officially entered it's name on the list of Olympic winners," he wrote tagging a few photos together in his post after the match.
MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong who also shared his congratulatory message on his official page said nothing is impossible, even after losing the first set 21-16 and trailing 20-16, they made a comeback to win 22-20 in the second set and then proceeded to the third set.
"It was a fierce and thrilling match for the bronze medal in the men's doubles badminton category earlier.
"The spirit of the Malaysian team, Aaron Chia and Sooh Wooi Yik, who fought back and prevented the Danish team from winning, makes us proud," he wrote congratulating Malaysia.
Former DAP member of Parliament Charles Santiago also shared a video clip of the match on his Facebook while congratulating the pair.
"Congratulations to Chia-Soh for securing Malaysia's first medal this evening! Your Harimau Malaysia-like spirit and stunning second-set comeback have given us all a reason to celebrate. Well done, and thank you, Aaron and Woo Yik!," he wrote in his post.