Top five greatest badminton players from Malaysia

In Malaysia, badminton is arguably the most well-liked non-traditional sport. And the nation has recognized badminton as its unofficial national sport ever since the Sidek brothers, some of Malaysia's best players, rose to prominence. Given badminton's widespread appeal in the nation, many outstanding players must have played for them. 

In this article, let’s look at the top five greatest badminton players from Malaysia

5. Lee Zii Jia

After Lee Chong Wei retired, Lee Zii Jia became one of Malaysia's biggest male singles superstars. He became the third player from Malaysia to win a men's singles Olympic medal. At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Jia defeated Lakshya Sen of India in the bronze medal playoff.

Jia defeated reigning champion Viktor Axelsen in the final to win the All England Open in 2021. During the one-hour and fourteen-minute match, Jia won the opening game with a score of 30-29.

Achievements of Lee Zii Jia

• Bronze medal in Summer Olympics 2024
• Gold medal in Asian Championships 2022
• Bronze medal in Sudirman Cup 2021, 2023
• Bronze medal in Thomas Cup 2024

4. Aaron Chia/ Soh Wooi Yik

Soh Wooi Yik and Aaron Chia are two of Malaysia's most renowned men's doubles badminton players. They have held the World No. 2 spot in the BWF men's doubles rankings and were the 2022 World Champions. Additionally, they took home the bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The duo have runners-up finishes at the All England Open 2019 (BWF Super 1000 event), the Thailand Open 2020 (II) (BWF Super 1000 event) and the India Open 2023 (BWF Super 750 event). Furthermore, considering their recent success, it would be difficult to wager against them taking home their first BWF World Tour championship this season.

Achievements of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik

• Bronze medal in Summer Olympics 2020
• Gold medal in World Championships 2022
• Bronze medal in Sudirman Cup 2021
• Silver medal in Asian Championships 2022
• Gold medal in the 2022 edition and silver medal in the 2020 edition of the Asia Team Championships

3. Razif Sidek/Jalani Sidek

The popularity of badminton and some of Malaysia's best players can be attributed to the Sidek brothers. In addition to competing in and winning a number of international top-tier tournaments, the five brothers invented new and inventive ways to play the game, particularly the "S" serve.

Together, Razif and Jalani won three World Grand Prix Finals and eighteen IBF World Grand Prix titles. Of the two accomplishments, however, the bronze medal from the 1992 Barcelona Games would undoubtedly be the most treasured.

Following their retirement, the pair became coaches and carried on improving the sport in the South-East Asian country. While Razif Sidek coached the first Malaysian Olympics silver medal-winning duo of Cheah Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock, Jalani groomed and trained multiple future international stars.

Achievements of Razif Sidek and Jalani Sidek

• Bronze medal in Summer Olympics 1992
• Two Gold medals, one Silver medal and four Bronze medals in the World Cup
• Silver medal in the 1987 edition and Bronze in the 1989 edition of World Championships together and Bronze medal in the 1980 edition for Jalani Sidek
• One Gold medal, three Silver medals and one Bronze medal in the Thomas Cup
• One Gold medal, two Silver medals and two Bronze medals in the Asian Championships
• Silver medal in men’s team and Bronze medal in men’s doubles events in Asian Games 1990

2. Cheah Soon Kit/Yap Kim Hock

The duo of Cheah Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock are the first Malaysians to win a silver medal in badminton at the Olympics. They only played together for five years, but because of their dominance, they are listed among Malaysia's best badminton players. They were consistently one of the top-ranked teams in the world.

Apart from the historic silver medal in Atlanta, they also won one gold medal and two silver medals in the World Grand Prix Finals. Cheah Soon Kit also groomed the current stars of Malaysian badminton, the duo of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.

Achievements of Cheah Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock

• Silver medal in Summer Olympics 1996
• Silver medal and Bronze medal in World Championships together and a Silver medal in World Championships for Cheah Soon Kit with a different partner.
• Three Bronze medals in World Cup together and two Gold medals and a bronze medal for Cheah Soon Kit with different partners.
• Two Silver medals in Thomas Cup together and one Gold medal, two Silver medals and one Bronze medal in Thomas Cup for Cheah Soon Kit with different partners.
• One Bronze medal in Asian Games together, two Silver medals for Cheah Soon Kit with different partners and one Bronze medal for Yap Kim Hock with a different partner.
• One Gold medal and one Bronze medal in Asian Championships together, three Bronze medals for Cheah Soon Kit with different partners and a Silver medal for Yap Kim Hock with a different partner.

1. Lee Chong Wei

Lee Chong Wei is one of the top singles player on the list of the greatest badminton players from Malaysia. With three silver medals, the Malaysian holds the record for most Olympic badminton medals. In 2016, he oversaw Malaysia's most successful Olympic campaign, which saw them bring home four silver and one bronze medal.

He was the only Malaysian to remain at the top of the BWF rankings for over a year, holding the top ranking for 349 weeks. Over the course of his 19-season career, Lee Chong Wei won 69 titles and placed second in another 34.

Achievements of Lee Chong Wei

• Silver medals in the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics
• Three Silver medals and a Bronze medal in World Championships
• Bronze medal in Sudirman Cup 2009
• One Silver medal and four Bronze medals in Thomas Cup
• One Silver medal and four Bronze medals in Asian Games
• Two Gold medals and two Bronze medals in Asian Championships
• Bronze medal in Asian Team Championships 2018

Cover Credits - BWF Official