In a heartwarming display of national pride, hundreds of Malaysians gathered at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) to welcome back badminton star Lee Zii Jia, who returned home with a bronze medal from the Olympics.
Posted on XiaoHongShu, a video of Lee Zii Jia walking through a crowd of fans has gone viral, with many sharing how emotional and proud they are of our athletes.
“Lee Zii Jia!” chant
Fans began gathering at the airport early before Lee’s scheduled arrival, patiently waiting for our national hero’s arrival.
As Lee Zii Jia walked through the crowd, everyone chanted his name, “Lee Zii Jia,” expressing their gratitude and appreciation for him.
In the video, Lee Zii Jia was visibly moved by the warm reception. Dressed in his national team tracksuit and proudly displaying his bronze medal, he waved to the crowd, flashing a grateful smile and taking picture with his fans.
Lee Zii Jia’s grandmother in the crowd
Other netizens also shared that the men’s doubles duo Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik have also arrived and received a warm welcome.
Some even spotted Lee Zii Jia’s grandmother holding a poster of her grandson in the crowd.
Press and media were there to interview them as well, asking each of them several questions regarding their Olympic journey.
National hero
Lee Zii Jia, who represented Malaysia in the men’s singles badminton event, clinched the bronze medal after a series of intense matches.
The 26-year-old shuttler’s return was met with overwhelming support, highlighting the nation’s admiration for his dedication and hard work. His remarkable performance not only earned him a place on the podium but also solidified his status as one of the nation’s sporting heroes.
He has proven many netizens wrong, who had previously doubted him, by showcasing his resilience and determination through his Olympic achievement.
Watch the full video here:
