PETALING JAYA: Euphoria erupted among Malaysians as men’s doubles shuttlers Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik won the bronze medal, the first triumph for Malaysia at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Their victory came after a nail-biting, 69-minute battle against Denmark’s world number two Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen.
The duo came back from the brink of defeat to pull off a superb 16-21, 22-20, 21-19 win to claim the bronze medal.
Congratulatory messages for Chia and Soh poured in from Malaysians from all walks of life as soon as the pair scored the win.
Among the earliest to congratulate the winning pair was Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
“Our men’s doubles team has defeated the world number 2 to secure us the bronze medal. Congratulations, Aaron-Wooi Yik,” he said on X.
MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong also congratulated the Malaysian team.
“(It was a) fight until the very end! 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.
“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 said in a Facebook post.
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah Yusof expressed thanks to Chia and Soh for winning the first medal for Malaysia in this Olympics.
“Thank you, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. Thanks to all the MAS (Malaysian) team!” he said on Instagram.
Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil thanked the team for winning the medal.
“Thank you for bringing the hopes of Malaysians to Paris. Syabas, Malaysian heroes,” he wrote on X.
Social media platforms were abuzz with congratulatory messages for Chia and Soh.
“Their fighting spirit bukan main-main (not to be taken lightly). Thank you for letting us see our Jalur Gemilang fly in the arena,” said Eric Poh.
Jimmy Tam said: “Thank you; finally, our country’s name appears in the 2024 Olympic medal table after 10 days.”
“Give them both RM1mil. They deserve it,” said June Hamid.
Zurina Zainal Abidin also congratulated the team, saying “so proud of our duo!”
