Tang Jie Says Sports Award Drives Him To Follow In Chong Wei's Footsteps

KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 (Bernama) -- Mixed doubles ace Chen Tang Jie sees his National Sportsman Award as added motivation to emulate the success of Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei, the badminton legend he idolised as a child.

Tang Jie said the award comes with great responsibility to continue setting the best example for the younger generation and inspiring Malaysians.   

The Ipoh-born athlete recalled growing up idolising the Malaysian badminton legend as a source of motivation to succeed on the international stage.

“I also hope to become an icon for children and the younger generation. So for me, I must do even better. When we were young, we watched Chong Wei, who achieved so much and was always on TV.

“He became a Malaysian hero and one of the icons for Malaysians, so Ee Wei and I also want to do better like him,” he told a press conference here today.

Earlier, Tang Jie and his partner Toh Ee Wei were crowned the National Sportsman and Sportswoman for 2025 at the National Sports Awards (ASN) here.

Tang Jie-Ee Wei, currently ranked world No. 4, created history by ending Malaysia’s 48-year wait for a mixed doubles world title when they emerged champions at the World Badminton Championships in Paris last year.

Tang Jie also described the success of Malaysian athletes across various sports as proof of the nation’s strong fighting spirit despite having a smaller population compared to global sporting powerhouses.

“Actually, I think it is not just badminton, but all sports in Malaysia are extraordinary. Our country is small compared to others but our spirit in sports is stronger.

“Other countries may have a thousand athletes, while we only have three or four, but Malaysia can still achieve success in various sports,” he said.

-- BERNAMA