Andrew Pace
Lee Chong Wei, born on 21 October 1982, is a former professional badminton player from Malaysia. He is considered one of the greatest badminton players of all time, with 69 individual titles, including 12 Super Series titles, and a record 42 BWF Super Series singles titles. Lee started playing badminton at the age of 11, and his talent was discovered by former badminton player Misbun Sidek when he was 17. Lee went on to become the first men's singles player to win every BWF Super Series Premier title and represented Malaysia at the Olympics three times, winning silver medals in 2008 and 2012. He was ranked as the number one badminton player in the world for 349 weeks, including a 199-week streak from 2008 to 2012.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Started playing badminton | 11 years old |
| Born | 21 October 1982 |
| Discovered by | Misbun Sidek |
| Discovered at age | 17 years old |
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What You'll Learn
Lee Chong Wei started playing badminton aged 11
Lee Chong Wei, born on 21 October 1982, is a former professional badminton player from Malaysia. He is considered one of the greatest badminton players of all time, having been ranked first worldwide for 349 weeks, including a 199-week streak from 21 August 2008 to 14 June 2012.
Lee Chong Wei started playing badminton at the age of 11. Before taking up badminton, he used to play basketball and was quite talented at it. However, he eventually switched to badminton because he was shorter than the other players on his basketball team.
After taking up badminton, Lee would train every day after school under a local coach. At the age of 17, his talent was discovered by Misbun Sidek, a former leading Malaysian badminton player. Sidek helped mould Lee into one of the best badminton players in the world.
Lee Chong Wei went on to represent Malaysia at the Olympics three times, winning silver medals in 2008, 2012, and 2016. He is the only Malaysian badminton player to have won a silver medal at the Olympics. In addition, he is the only Malaysian to have won the World Championships, which he did in 2011.
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He was a talented basketball player first
Lee Chong Wei, born on 21 October 1982, is a Malaysian former professional badminton player. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest badminton players of all time, having been ranked first worldwide for 349 weeks, including a 199-week streak from 21 August 2008 to 14 June 2012.
Before he became a badminton legend, Lee Chong Wei was a talented basketball player. In elementary school, he had a passion for both basketball and badminton. However, he eventually chose badminton over basketball due to his mother's concerns about the extreme heat of the outdoor basketball court. Lee Chong Wei started playing badminton at the age of 11 when his father, who enjoyed the sport, took him to a badminton hall. Despite his talent for basketball, Lee switched to badminton because he was shorter than the other players on his team.
Lee's talent for badminton was quickly recognised, and he was discovered by former badminton player and renowned coach Misbun Sidek at the age of 17. With Sidek's guidance, Lee developed into one of the best badminton players in the world. He went on to represent Malaysia at the Olympics three times, winning silver medals in 2008 and 2012. He also achieved remarkable success in various other tournaments, including the Malaysia Open, the China Open, and the World Championships.
Lee Chong Wei's impact on the sport of badminton extended beyond his athletic achievements. He inspired young badminton players worldwide, serving as a role model for hard work and perseverance. His success on the court also made him a popular figure in Malaysia, leading to endorsement deals and brand ambassador roles with companies like Yonex, Li Ning, and AirAsia.
While Lee Chong Wei may have started his athletic journey as a talented basketball player, his decision to focus on badminton ultimately led to a remarkable career that solidified his place as one of the greatest badminton players in history. His induction into the BWF Badminton Hall of Fame in 2023 stands as a testament to his enduring legacy in the sport.
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Misbun Sidek discovered his talent at 17
Lee Chong Wei, a Malaysian former professional badminton player, started playing badminton at the age of 11. Before that, he used to play basketball and was quite talented at it. However, he eventually made the switch to badminton because he was shorter than the other players on his basketball team.
At the age of 17, Lee Chong Wei was discovered by former badminton player Misbun Sidek. Misbun Sidek is a prominent figure in Malaysian badminton. He is the eldest of the famous five Sidek brothers, who were the pride of Malaysia's badminton scene from the early 1980s to the early 2000s. Misbun received early badminton training from his father, who envisioned his children becoming badminton champions.
Misbun Sidek is considered one of the greatest coaches in the world. He played a pivotal role in recognizing Lee Chong Wei's talent and nurturing him into becoming one of the best badminton players globally. Under Misbun's mentorship, Lee Chong Wei went on to achieve remarkable success in badminton, spanning almost 20 years. Lee Chong Wei himself acknowledges his debt to Misbun Sidek, crediting him for guiding him throughout his illustrious badminton career.
Misbun Sidek's impact on Lee Chong Wei's career is evident in the numerous accolades and achievements that followed. Lee Chong Wei was ranked first worldwide for 349 weeks, including a remarkable 199-week streak from 2008 to 2012. He is the only Malaysian shuttler to have held the number-one ranking for more than a year. In addition, Lee Chong Wei has won 69 individual titles, including 12 Super Series titles, solidifying his legacy as one of the most decorated badminton players in history. He has also represented Malaysia at the Olympics three times, winning silver medals and becoming a source of inspiration for young badminton players worldwide.
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He's a triple silver medallist at the Olympic Games
Lee Chong Wei, a Malaysian former professional badminton player, began playing badminton at the age of 11. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest badminton players of all time. He is a triple silver medallist at the Olympic Games, winning his first silver medal in 2008, followed by another silver in 2012. This made him the sixth Malaysian to win an Olympic medal and the first Malaysian to reach the finals in the men's singles event.
Lee's journey to becoming an Olympic silver medallist began in his early career. He was a talented basketball player but switched to badminton at the age of 11 as he was shorter than the other players on his basketball team. At the age of 17, he was discovered by former Malaysian badminton player and renowned coach Misbun Sidek, who helped him develop into one of the best badminton players in the world.
Lee's first Olympic appearance included a victory over Ng Wei of Hong Kong in the first round, but he was defeated in the second round by Chen Hong. In 2008, he won his first Olympic silver medal, a significant achievement for Malaysia. This medal also earned him a lifetime pension of RM 3,000 per month starting in August 2008, and a reward of RM 300,000 for his silver medal effort.
Lee represented Malaysia at the Olympics two more times. In 2012, he won his second Olympic silver medal. This was a particularly challenging match against his long-time rival, Lin Dan. Despite leading for most of the third game, Lee was narrowly edged out by Lin, demonstrating the intense competition at the Olympic level.
In addition to his Olympic achievements, Lee accumulated numerous other accolades throughout his career. He was ranked first worldwide for 349 weeks, including a 199-week streak from 21 August 2008, to 14 June 2012. He won 69 individual titles, including 12 Super Series titles, and was the first men's singles shuttler to win all Super Series titles. Lee is the only Malaysian badminton player to have won the World Championships, doing so in 2011. In 2023, he was inducted into the BWF Badminton Hall of Fame, further solidifying his legacy in the sport.
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Lee is the fifth Malaysian to achieve a world #1 ranking
Lee Chong Wei, born on 21 October 1982, is a former professional badminton player from Malaysia. He started playing badminton at the age of 11 and was discovered by former badminton player Misbun Sidek at the age of 17.
Lee is the fifth Malaysian to achieve a world number 1 ranking. He was ranked first worldwide for 349 weeks, including a 199-week streak from 21 August 2008 to 14 June 2012. He is one of the most decorated badminton players in history, with 69 individual titles, including 12 Super Series titles.
Lee is the only Malaysian shuttler to have held the number one ranking for more than a year. He has represented Malaysia at the Olympics three times, winning silver medals in 2008 and 2012. He is the only Malaysian badminton player to have won a silver medal at the Olympics and the World Championships (in 2011).
Lee's achievements have been recognised through various honours and awards. In 2008, he was made an Officer of the Order of the Defender of State, carrying the title "Dato'". He has also received the Order of Merit and been conferred the rank of Lieutenant Commander (Honorary) and later Commander (Honorary) in the Royal Malaysian Navy Volunteer Reserve Unit. In 2023, Lee was inducted into the BWF Badminton Hall of Fame, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest badminton players of all time.
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Frequently asked questions
Lee Chong Wei started playing badminton at the age of 11.
Yes, he used to play basketball and was quite talented at it.
He switched to badminton because he was shorter than the other players on his basketball team.
His talent was discovered by former badminton player Misbun Sidek when he was 17 years old.
