Malaysian badminton star Lee Zii Jia is riding high after securing his first Olympic medal 🥉 at Paris 2024. In an exclusive interview with CGTN Sports Scene, the World No. 8 opened up about battling self-doubt, rediscovering his love for the sport, and why this bronze feels like gold.
💬 \"There was a time I almost quit,\" Lee confessed, reflecting on a period when he felt \"unhappy every time I stepped on the court.\" But 2024 became his redemption arc: two tournament wins, a runner-up finish, and that career-defining Olympic podium moment.
The semifinal loss nearly broke him, but Lee found motivation in his rivals' struggles: \"Seeing players like China's Shi Yuqi and Denmark's Anders Antonsen fight so hard… I knew I had to seize my chance.\" 🏆
Shoutout to coach Wong Tat Meng for the glow-up! 🌟 Lee credited his mentor for \"helping me climb from career lows to Olympic heights\" in just 18 months. With Wong departing, the athlete vows to \"aim higher\" in future tournaments.
Though Lee rates his 2024 performance as \"just passing,\" fans worldwide are calling it a masterclass in resilience. 👏 Next stop? \"Consistency and bigger wins,\" says the shuttler who turned burnout into breakthrough.
