No Malaysian No Lee Chong Wei, says Datuk Lee After Announcing His Retirement in Tears

Lee Chong Wei bursted in tears several times during the sad press conference.(Source: International Olympic Committee)

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Legendary Hero of Badminton, Datuk Lee Chong Wei announced his retirement on a press conference in 13th June of 2019.

Datuk Lee Chong Wei stated that his decision of retirement was made after medical check up was done with his doctor, which ended his 19 years of amazing career.

Datuk Lee also expressed his gratitude to KBS (Ministry of Youth and Sports), ISN (National Sports Institute), all his coaches, Datuk Misbun Sidek, Datuk Tey Seu Bock and especially his wife , Wong Mew Choo and both his sons who supported him along the way.

Datuk Lee thanked those who lent him helping hands along his career. (Source: New Straits Times)

"Last, I would like to thanks Malaysians. Without Malaysians, there will be no Lee Chong Wei who fought in the national team for 19 years for my country. Thank you," he said in tears.

Syed Saddiq described Lee Chong Wei as a national hero. (Source: BWF)

The Malaysia's Sport Minister, Syed Syaddiq described Datuk Lee as the hero to all Malaysians of all ethnicities and religions and nominated him as the Chef-de-Mission for the Tokyo Olympics in the press conference.

" The reason is simple. We cannot think of anyone better to fly the Malaysia's flag high," he said after confirming Datuk Lee as his and Malaysia's hero.

Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria, the president of Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) also expressed his mixed emotion as he could no longer saw the legend continue playing in the court.

However, he was happy that Datuk Lee Chong Wei could announced his retirement on his own term.

Lee Chong Wei had won a large number of titles in his career. (Source: Reuters)

Datuk Lee had won 46 BWF Super Series singles titles and was the only one who won a career Super Series Premier.

Besides, he remained as the No. 1 ranked player in the world for 349 weeks and 200 consequtive weeks.

Infographic on Achievements of Datuk Lee Chong Wei.