Lee Chong Wei facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yang Berbahagia Datuk Lee Chong Wei 李宗伟 DB, DCSM, PJN, DSPN, AMN, OLY
Lee in 2017
Personal information
Birth name	Lee Chong Wei
Born	(1982-10-21) 21 October 1982 (age 42) Bagan Serai, Perak, Malaysia
Residence	Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Height	1.72 m (5 ft 7+1⁄2 in)
Weight	68 kg (150 lb; 10.7 st)
Country	Malaysia
Years active	2000–2019
Handedness	Right
Men's singles
Highest Ranking	1 (29 June 2006)
Title(s)	69
Medal record Men's badminton Representing  Malaysia Olympic Games Silver 2008 Beijing Men's singles Silver 2012 London Men's singles Silver 2016 Rio de Janeiro Men's singles World Championships Silver 2011 London Men's singles Silver 2013 Guangzhou Men's singles Silver 2015 Jakarta Men's singles Bronze 2005 Anaheim Men's singles Sudirman Cup Bronze 2009 Guangzhou Mixed team Thomas Cup Silver 2014 New Delhi Men's team Bronze 2006 Sendai/Tokyo Men's team Bronze 2008 Jakarta Men's team Bronze 2010 Kuala Lumpur Men's team Bronze 2016 Kunshan Men's team Commonwealth Games Gold 2006 Melbourne Men's singles Gold 2006 Melbourne Mixed team Gold 2010 Delhi Men's singles Gold 2010 Delhi Mixed team Gold 2018 Gold Coast Men's singles Silver 2018 Gold Coast Mixed team Asian Games Silver 2010 Guangzhou Men's singles Bronze 2006 Doha Men's singles Bronze 2006 Doha Men's team Bronze 2014 Incheon Men's singles Bronze 2014 Incheon Men's team Asian Championships Gold 2006 Johor Bahru Men's singles Gold 2016 Wuhan Men's singles Bronze 2017 Wuhan Men's singles Bronze 2018 Wuhan Men's singles Asia Team Championships Bronze 2018 Alor Setar Men's team SEA Games Gold 2005 Manila Men's team Bronze 2003 Ho Chi Minh Men's team Bronze 2005 Manila Men's singles Bronze 2015 Singapore Men's team World Junior Championships Bronze 2000 Guangzhou Boys' singles Asian Junior Championships Bronze 2000 Kyoto Boys' team

Lee Chong Wei (Chinese: 李宗伟; pinyin: Lǐ Zōngwěi; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Lí Chong-úi; born 21 October 1982) is a famous former professional badminton player from Malaysia. He was ranked number one in the world for an amazing 349 weeks. This included a record-breaking streak of 199 weeks in a row! He is one of only a few Malaysian players to reach this top spot. Many people consider him one of the greatest badminton players ever.

Lee Chong Wei is also known for winning three silver medals at the Olympic Games. He was the first Malaysian to reach the men's singles final at the Olympics in 2008. He repeated this amazing achievement in 2012 and 2016, making him Malaysia's most successful Olympian. In 2023, he was added to the BWF Badminton Hall of Fame.

He announced his retirement on 13 June 2019. This was after he faced health challenges, including a nose cancer diagnosis. Even after retiring, he was chosen to be Malaysia's team leader for the 2020 Summer Olympics. He still helped the team, even if it was from home.

Early Life and Badminton Beginnings

Lee Chong Wei was born in Bagan Serai, Perak, Malaysia. He comes from a Malaysian Chinese family. When he was young, he loved playing basketball. However, his mother asked him to stop because the outdoor court was too hot.

At age 11, Lee started learning badminton. His father, who enjoyed the game, took him to a badminton hall. A local coach, Teh Peng Huat, noticed Lee's talent. He asked Lee's father if he could train him. With his father's permission, Teh began coaching Lee after school. Later, at 17, he was discovered by Misbun Sidek and joined the national badminton team in 2000.

A Champion's Career Highlights

Lee Chong Wei's career was filled with many victories and tough challenges. He became known for his speed, defense, and powerful smashes.

Early Career Success (2002–2007)

Lee won his first major titles in 2004, including the Malaysia Open. He played in his first Olympic Games in Athens that year. In 2005, he earned a bronze medal at the World Championships. He also won the Malaysia Open again.

In 2006, Lee won three more titles, including the Swiss Open and the Asian Badminton Championships. He famously came back from a losing position to win his third Malaysia Open title against his great rival, Lin Dan. He also won two gold medals for Malaysia at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. Lee reached the world number one ranking twice in 2006. In 2007, he won the Indonesia Open, Japan Open, and French Open.

Olympic Dreams and Rivalries (2008–2012)

Lee playing in the semifinals of the 2008 Olympics

Lee started 2008 by winning his fourth Malaysia Open title. He also won the Singapore Open. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Lee played brilliantly and reached the final. However, he lost to his rival, Lin Dan of China, and won a silver medal. This was Malaysia's first men's singles Olympic badminton final.

After the Olympics, Lee continued to reach finals but struggled to win titles. He ended 2008 by winning the Super Series Masters Finals. In 2009, he won his fifth Malaysia Open and his second Swiss Open, beating Lin Dan in the final. He also won the Indonesia Open and Hong Kong Open.

In 2010, Lee had a fantastic start, winning the Korea Open, Malaysia Open, and his first All England Open title. He also won two gold medals at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. At the Asian Games, he won a silver medal, again losing to Lin Dan in the final.

Lee playing in the semifinals of the 2012 Olympics

The year 2011 saw Lee win his seventh Malaysia Open and defend his All England Open title, again beating Lin Dan. He also won the India Open and Indonesia Open. At the World Championships, he reached the final but lost a very close match to Lin Dan.

In 2012, Lee won his second Korea Open and eighth Malaysia Open. He then competed in the London Olympic Games. Despite an ankle injury earlier in the year, he fought his way to the final. For the second time, he faced Lin Dan in the Olympic final. It was an incredibly close match, but Lee narrowly lost, earning his second Olympic silver medal. Many people praised his effort.

Continued Success and Challenges (2013–2018)

Lee playing in the quarterfinals of the 2013 French Super Series

Lee won his ninth Malaysia Open title in 2013, setting a new record. He also won the India Open and Indonesia Open. At the World Championships, he reached the final again, facing Lin Dan. He had to stop playing due to leg cramps, resulting in another silver medal. He finished 2013 by winning his fourth Super Series Masters Finals title.

In 2014, Lee won his tenth Malaysia Open and his third All England Open title. He also won the India Open and Japan Open. He earned another silver medal at the World Championships, losing to Chen Long.

After an eight-month break, Lee returned to play in 2015. He won the US Open and Canada Open. He reached the final of the World Championships for the third time but lost to Chen Long. Later that year, he made history by winning his first China Open title, meaning he had won all Super Series titles. He also won the French Open and Hong Kong Open.

In 2016, Lee won his fifth Malaysia Masters and eleventh Malaysia Open. He also won his second Asian Championships title. At the Olympic Games in Rio, he defeated Lin Dan in the semi-finals in an exciting match. However, he lost to Chen Long in the final, earning his third Olympic silver medal. He then won his sixth Japan Open title.

Lee started 2017 by winning his fourth All England Open. He also won the Hong Kong Open. In 2018, he won his fifth Commonwealth Games gold medal. He also won his twelfth Malaysia Open title.

Retirement

In July 2018, Lee Chong Wei was diagnosed with early-stage nasopharynx cancer. He received treatment in Taiwan. After battling the illness and trying to return to full fitness, he announced his retirement on 13 June 2019. This decision was made based on his doctor's advice to avoid intense training to prevent the cancer from returning.

His retirement marked the end of a 19-year international badminton career. Many people, including his long-time rival Lin Dan, paid tribute to him. Lin Dan wrote online that he would now have to "head into battle alone," showing the deep respect between the two champions.

Personal Life and Recognition

Lee Chong Wei has received many awards and honors for his achievements. After winning his first Olympic silver medal in 2008, he received a reward of RM 300,000 and a lifetime monthly pension. In 2009, he became a National Ambassador for UNICEF Malaysia.

He is married to his former teammate, Wong Mew Choo. They got married on 9 November 2012. They have three sons: Kingston, Terrance, and Anson.

Lee's autobiography, Dare to be a Champion, was published in 2012. He has also received several important titles and honors from the Malaysian government, recognizing his contributions to the country. These include the "Dato'" and "Datuk Wira" titles. In 2021, he was made a Justice of the Peace. In 2023, he was inducted into the BWF Hall of Fame, a huge honor in badminton.

Awards

Lee Chong Wei has won many awards throughout his career:

Honours and Titles

Lee Chong Wei has received many special honors from Malaysia. These titles show how much his country appreciates his achievements.

• In 2006, he received the Ahli Mangku Negara (AMN) award.
• In 2008, he was given the title "Dato'" by the Governor of Penang. This was after his success at the 2008 Olympics.
• In 2009, he received the Darjah Bakti (DB), a very special award.
• In 2012, he was made an honorary Lieutenant Commander in the Royal Malaysian Navy. He was promoted to honorary Commander in 2016.
• In 2016, he received the "Datuk Wira" title from the Governor of Malacca.
• In 2017, he received the "Datuk" title from the King of Malaysia.
• In 2021, he became a Justice of the Peace (JP). He also received an honorary doctorate in sports science.
• In 2023, he was inducted into the BWF Hall of Fame, a top honor in badminton.

See also

• Lee–Lin rivalry