2021, a year full of worries and anxiety for the country battling the Covid-19 pandemic. Fortunately, we had sports coming back that year, including international sporting events. There were huge events such as Olympics, Euro 2020, Paralympic Games, and many more. But, the most important news of all, our best Malaysian athletes in 2021, was our beacon of hope as they crush their opponents in international events.
Watching our national hero’s achievements indeed made us proud of being a Malaysian. So, as we shared their happiness and sense of victory last year, let’s have a throwback of 2021 Malaysian athletes’ victories.
Lee Zii Jia – Badminton Star that’s buzzing in 2021
Male badminton player Lee Zii Jia had a successful year in 2021 after winning the All England Open Championships in March over Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen. Due to Lee’s remarkable performance, the community took notice of his activities both on and off the court. In fact, we have definitely seen many people taking an interest in the young shuttler via social media as well.
All England Open Champion Lee Chong Wei released a song. His admirers organised an organisation called ‘Shattlehearts.’ They were all in support of Lee throughout the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
The BWF nominated Lee for the Most Improved Player of the Year award after he finished 7th in the world rankings and was also nominated for the BWF World Rankings. When he was the most-searched athlete in Malaysia in 2021, it was clear that Malaysians had a strong interest in him. He surely deserved to be among the best Malaysian Athletes 2021 list.
Azizulhasni Awang – Singlehandedly resurrected our hopes at Tokyo 2020
The silver medal he earned in the men’s keirin race at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics has reignited Malaysia’s medal ambitions. Azizulhasni Awang, the country’s national track cyclist, was the second most searched Malaysian athlete on Google Malaysia in 2021.
With this latest victory, Azizul changed the perception in Malaysia that athletes in sports other than badminton, such as track cycling, can also win gold at the Olympics.
As a result of his Olympic silver medal triumph, he is now the sole Malaysian cyclist to have achieved Olympic medal success. Azizul’s achievements as a national track cyclist were also recognised by the Terengganu state government in July 2021, just a few months before the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Nicol David – The Greatest Squash Player of All Time
Nicol Ann David, Malaysia’s most famous squash player, comes to mind while discussing the country’s sporting history. On the 40th anniversary of the World Games in 2021, the International World Games Association sponsored an online poll. As a result, she was voted World Games’ Greatest Athlete of All Time.
An incredible 318,943 votes were cast favouring Nicol. She beat off the Irish tug-of-war athlete James Kehoe and Ukraine’s powerlifter Larysa Solovlova.
While Nicol has been out of the spotlight for a few years, she draws attention to her remarkable performances and achievements.
Pandelela Rinong Pamg – The National Diver that Screams Girl Power
Pandelela Rinong, Malaysia’s national diver, will compete in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics once more in 2021. She achieved a record by competing in the Olympics for the first time in four consecutive years, even though she did not win a medal. She has now tied badminton superstar Lee Chong Wei for the most Olympic appearances in Tokyo 2020.
First-time gold medalist Pandelela also created history in 2021 when she won Japan’s Fina Diving World Cup. The country’s most decorated female Olympian is working hard to earn the country’s first gold medal at the next Olympics. Which we can all look forward to seeing.
Soh Wai Ching – The Tower Runner that Created History in 2021
Another Malaysian athlete who reflected the ‘Malaysia Boleh’ mentality in 2021 was tower runner Soh Wai Ching. He became the first Asian to win the Empire State Building Run-Up.
In under 10 minutes and 46 seconds, Soh raced up the world-famous New York City tower’s 1,576 steps to win the race. Malaysians may not be familiar with tower running, but Soh made his mark at international contests in 2021.
At Cologne Tower in August 2021, he won the German Towerrunning Championship with three minutes and 24 seconds, climbing 39 stories and 714 steps at an altitude gain of 142 metres. At the Willis Tower in Chicago in November 2021, Soh also set a new track record for tower running with 12 minutes 57 seconds, which was once the world’s highest structure.
Abdul Latif Romly – A True Gold Medalist that Fights On With an Injury
The Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2021 were also a successful year for Malaysia, with three gold medals being won by Malaysian participants. Despite a groyne injury suffered during the finals in Tokyo, Abdul Latif Romly created history once more in 2021 by defending his gold medal from the Rio 2016 Paralympics in the long jump event.
Unfortunately, he could not complete all six jumps in the finals because of this injury. As a result, he had to be taken out of the competition in a wheelchair. However, all of his efforts paid off, as he could repeat as champion.
This year’s Tokyo 2020 Paralympics saw Abdul become the first Malaysian to win the most gold medals in Paralympic history after winning another in the T20 long jump event.
Ziyad Zolkefli – The Winning Shot Putter that was Cheated Out of his Gold Medal
Shot putter Ziyad Zolkefli remains a beloved Malaysian national hero despite failing to bring home a medal at the Paralympics 2020 Games.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) disqualified Ziyad, who set a new world record in the F20 shot put with a throw of 17.94 metres because he arrived late to the roll call area.
People on social media were quick to defend Ziyad when news of him possibly losing his gold medal and new world record after this judgement. As a result, Ziyad’s request to reconsider his participation in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games was denied. However, he still made Malaysians proud with his performance. His heart and pure talent surely earns him a place in our Best Malaysian Athletes 2021 list.
Aaron Chia & Soh Wooi Yik – The Badminton Duo that Won Us the First Medal at Tokyo 2020 Olympic
For many Malaysians, Badminton is a sport they hope to win Olympic medals. However, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games would be the first time badminton star Lee Chong Wei wasn’t competing for Malaysia.
Olympic debutant Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik was one of several talented athletes to make their Olympic debuts. Futhermore, the duo gave Malaysia’s first and only medal in badminton at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Both Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik put in an impressive display in their final match.
With Soh’s aid, Aaron was able to help Malaysia win the bronze medal at the 2021 Sudirman Cup. As a result, Aaron and Soh were nominated for the 2020/2021 BWF Awards in the Most Improved Player of Year award category.
Bonnie Bunyau Gustin – Powerlifter and a Paralympics Gold Medallist
Yet another favourite in our Best Malaysian Athletes 2021 list right here. Malaysian athletes set a new record-breaking five medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Thus, making it the most successful Paralympic Games ever. The first person to accomplish so was Sarawakian powerlifter, Bonnie Bunyau Gustin. Achieving a gold medal in the weightlifting event was definitely the highlight bringing smiles to Malaysians.
Additionally, Bonnie became the first Malaysian to earn a gold medal in powerlifting. Essentially, he got the gold by lifting 228 kilogrammes in the men’s 72 kg category.
It wasn’t long before the Paralympics began that Bonnie set a new world record in Dubai too. He shattered the old record by lifting 230 kilogrammes in the same event. In 2021, despite his limitations, Bonnie achieved several historical milestones that made Malaysians feel proud of their nation.
Cheah Like Hou – A Paralympian Badminton Player that Won his First Gold Medal
At an international athletic event, winning the gold medal requires years of hard effort and dedication. Finally, Cheah Like Hou had the opportunity to represent Malaysia at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. Keep in mind that was after an incredible 18 years of waiting! Best of all, he came home with a gold medal in badminton in the SU5 category.
For the first time in Paralympic history, Malaysia has won a gold medal in badminton at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. However, it won’t be the last time we do it.
He finally received the attention he’d been waiting for. As Cheah is culminating in a nomination for Male Para-Badminton Player of the Year at the 2020/21 BWF Awards.
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