KUALA LUMPUR: Merdeka Day is special to all Malaysians. But ex-national shuttler Goh Liu Ying will have another reason to celebrate this auspicious day on Aug 31.
Liu Ying gave birth to her first child on Merdeka Day (Thursday).
The 34-year-old announced the arrival of her bundle of joy with a picture of her baby in a crib with national flags around it.
"Welcome to the new world, my Merdeka baby. Saya Anak Malaysia," Liu Ying posted on social media.
Liu Ying is best remembered for winning the mixed doubles silver medal with Chan Peng Soon at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
They also won gold medals at the Asian Championships and New Delhi Commonwealth Games (mixed team) in 2010.
After 13 glorious years, Liu Ying and Peng Soon decided to part ways in 2021.
Liu Ying then partnered with Ong Yew Sin and Soong Joo Ven, but results were not impressive.
Li Ying and Peng Soon renewed their partnership for one last battle at the Malaysia Open in January after announcing that she would quit after the tournament.
However, there was no fairy-tale farewell as Peng Soon-Liu Ying crashed out in the first round.
The Melaka-born athlete has been busy with her 3v3 badminton initiative and other businesses since retiring.