"I Kept Silent, I'll Prove It To Them" — LZJ Chokes Up In Interview After Winning Bronze
Lee, who left the national badminton team in 2022, reflected on his journey as an independent player.
By May Vin Ang — 06 Aug 2024, 12:09 PM
Malaysia's men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia was emotional in a post-match interview after winning bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics last night, 5 August
The 26-year-old staged a dramatic comeback against India's world No. 22 player, India's Lakshya Sen. Lee lost in the first set, but ultimately won 13-21, 21-16, 21-11 in the bronze medal playoff.
The bronze medal is Lee's first Olympic medal.
In a teary post-match interview, Lee, who left the national badminton team in 2022, reflected on his journey as an independent player and struggles against criticism by the media
"I told myself to not give up," Lee told Astro Arena reporter, Shahrazad Sani, choking up as an equally emotional Shahrazad asked the player how he felt winning the game.
"I've come this far, but you know what has been happening... Every morning, I wake up, and I see all kinds of news about me, and I always wonder what I've done wrong.
"But I wake up every day and show up for my training and stay silent. I don't know what's going on with the media, but I just told myself to keep silent, no matter how they humiliate me and what they say about me.
"I keep silent because I know that I'll prove it to them.
"Even though now it's only a bronze medal, I'll come back stronger for the Los Angeles Olympics and I will get that gold medal," said Lee.
The interview was a candid and emotional one as Shahrazad is a familiar face to the badminton athletes
The reporter who covers major tournaments is fondly known as 'BangMed' to the players because they quip, "Kalau BangMed ada, mesti ada medal (If BangMed is around, we'll surely win a medal)".
Lee could be seen hugging a crying Shahrazad after the game, as well as putting the bronze medal on him after receiving it on the Olympic podium.
