KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 — Malaysia must wait another four years for its next chance at an Olympic gold medal.
World badminton number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei was defeated by China's Chen Long in an exhilarating men's singles final in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in straight sets with a score of 18-21, 18-21.
Lee leaves the Olympics with his third silver medal, adding to those he won in Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
Malaysians who watched the match at a special viewing session in Putrajaya were not disheartened by the result, however, saying Lee had put up a commendable fight.
Engineer Shahrizul Sharifudin, 37, who joined the crowd at Dataran Putrajaya tonight, expressed pride at Lee's showing, saying Chen put up an unexpected challenge.
"It was a tough match. Chen Long was on point, it would have been difficult even if Lee played at 200 per cent performance," he told Malay Mail Online.
"I am proud of him nonetheless. There was no fault in his own game. He made the right decisions, but it was like kicking a ball to a wall."
Travel company administrator and account executive Nor Zhafarina, 30, said Lee's achievement in beating long-time rival Lin Dan in the semifinal had been a feat of its own.
"To reach the finals is already something to be proud of," she said.
"He will inspire more youths to achieve greatness and I hope they will inherit his tenacity to keep making Malaysia proud."
Small-scale business owner Nor Wahid Rosman, 60, said Lee's perseverance throughout the match had been inspiring, and that his efforts will have created many new fans who will follow in his footsteps.
"If he plans to retire, he has nothing to worry about. His legacy will continue in the spirit of the next generation.
"Just look at our mixed doubles team. We never expected it, but they are playing so well," he added.
