Lee Chong Wei facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Yang Berbahagia Dato' Seri Lee Chong Wei 李宗伟 DB DGPN DCSM PJN 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 (born 21 October 1982) is a famous former professional badminton player from Malaysia. Many people think he is one of the greatest badminton players of all time.

As a singles player, Lee was ranked number one in the world for 349 weeks. This includes an amazing 199-week streak from 2008 to 2012 where he never lost the top spot. He is the only Malaysian badminton player to hold the number one ranking for more than a year. In May 2023, he was added to the BWF Badminton Hall of Fame.

Lee is a three-time silver medalist at the Olympic Games. He is the most successful Malaysian Olympian in history. His first silver medal was in 2008, which made him a national hero in Malaysia. He won two more silver medals in 2012 and 2016.

On 13 June 2019, Lee announced he was retiring from badminton. He had been diagnosed with nose cancer and needed to focus on his health.

Early Life and Start in Badminton

Lee was born in Bagan Serai, Perak, Malaysia. When he was young, he loved to play basketball. But his mother worried about him playing outside in the hot sun and stopped him.

At age 11, Lee started learning badminton. His father, who also loved the game, took him to a badminton hall. A local coach named Teh Peng Huat noticed his talent and asked to train him. Lee's father agreed, and he began training after school. Later, another coach, Misbun Sidek, discovered him. At 17, Lee was asked to join the national team.

Professional Career

Rising to the Top (2002–2007)

Lee won his first major titles in 2004 at the Malaysia Open and the Chinese Taipei Open. He played in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens but was knocked out in the second round.

By 2006, Lee was a top player. He won three titles and reached the number one world ranking for the first time. One of his most famous matches was at the Malaysia Open final against his rival, Lin Dan from China. Lee was losing 13-20 in the final game but made an incredible comeback to win 23-21.

Olympic Glory and Rivalries (2008–2012)

Lee playing in the semifinals of the 2008 Olympics.

In 2008, Lee won his fourth Malaysia Open title. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, he played brilliantly and reached the final. He lost to Lin Dan but won a silver medal, Malaysia's first in the men's singles event. This made him a national hero.

The rivalry between Lee and Lin Dan became one of the most exciting in badminton history. In 2010, Lee won the prestigious All England Open for the first time.

In 2011, Lee had another amazing year, winning many tournaments. He faced Lin Dan again in the final of the World Championships. It was a very close match, but Lee lost after having two match points.

At the 2012 London Olympics, Lee once again reached the final to play against Lin Dan. In another thrilling match, Lee won the first game but narrowly lost the final game 19-21. He won his second Olympic silver medal.

World Championships and Challenges (2013–2015)

Lee playing in the quarterfinals of the 2013 French Super Series.

In 2013, Lee won his ninth Malaysia Open title. He also reached the final of the World Championships but had to retire during the match against Lin Dan because of leg cramps.

A Difficult Time

In 2014, after the World Championships, a sample from Lee tested positive for a substance called dexamethasone. This is an anti-inflammatory medicine that is not allowed during competitions.

A panel investigated the case. They believed that Lee did not mean to cheat. He was given an eight-month ban, which was backdated. This meant he could return to playing in May 2015. His silver medal from the 2014 World Championships was taken away, but he kept his Asian Games medals.

Comeback and Final Olympics (2015–2018)

Lee playing in the semifinals of the 2012 Olympics.

After his suspension, Lee made a strong comeback. He won the French Open, China Open, and Hong Kong Open back-to-back. By winning the China Open, he became the first men's singles player to win every Super Series title.

At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Lee had an amazing semi-final match against Lin Dan and won. In the final, he played against Chen Long of China and lost, winning his third Olympic silver medal.

In 2018, Lee won his 12th Malaysia Open title. Later that year, it was announced he had a respiratory illness and had to stop playing to get treatment. He was diagnosed with early-stage nose cancer and went to Taiwan for care.

Retirement and Legacy

After trying to get back to full fitness, Lee's doctors advised him to avoid high-intensity training. On 13 June 2019, he announced his retirement from badminton, ending his 19-year career.

Players from around the world paid tribute to him. His great rival, Lin Dan, posted a message saying he would feel lonely on the court without him. Lee Chong Wei is remembered as a national hero in Malaysia and a legend of the sport.

Personal Life

Lee married his former teammate, Wong Mew Choo, in 2012. They have three sons, born in 2013, 2015, and 2022.

In 2009, he became a National Ambassador for UNICEF Malaysia. He also wrote an autobiography called Dare to be a Champion.

Major Awards

Here is a short list of some of the major awards Lee has won:

• BWF Player of the Year Award (5 times)
• National Sportsman Award of Malaysia (4 times)
• Olympian of the Year Award of Malaysia (3 times)
• Penang Sportsman Award (8 times)

See also

In Spanish: Lee Chong Wei para niños

• Lee–Lin rivalry