Cover image via REUTERSToday, 15 April, Lee Chong Wei won his third Commonwealth Games singles gold against the new top ranking male badminton player in the world, Kidambi Srikanth
It was only on Thursday, 12 April, when 25-year-old Srikanth reached the number one spot in the world in the men's rankings, Free Malaysia Today reported.
Lee Chong Wei, who is a decade older than Srikanth, is currently ranked seventh.
No doubt motivated by Srikanth's 21-19 lead in the first game of the final, Lee Chong Wei bounced back in the second to take it 21-14. The Malaysian veteran player won the final game 21-14.
As soon as he emerged victorious, Chong Wei collapsed on the court and covered his face with his hands in joy and disbelief.
Image via Yazit Razali/New Straits Times
Image via Yazit Razali/New Straits Times
According to New Straits Times, this win means that Lee Chong Wei maintains an unbeaten record of 13 men's singles victories in three editions.
Lee Chong Wei, who is approaching the end of his badminton career, boasts an impressive collection of trophies including five Commonwealth medals, three of which are golds, and three Olympic silver medals
With this victory by Lee Chong Wei, Malaysia has met its six-gold medal target at the Commonwealth Games.
Chong Wei joins former international Koo Kien Keat as the most successful Malaysian athletes in the Commonwealth Games with five titles each, according to New Straits Times.
Image via Saeed Khan/AFP
"This is one of my most memorable achievements because this will be my last Commonwealth Games"
"I know how important this gold medal is for Malaysia. I won this for the whole Malaysian badminton team," said Lee Chong Wei.
Lee Chong Wei being crowned as the Commonwealth Games men's singles champion for the third time in his career at the Carrara Sports and Leisure Centre today.
Image via REUTERS
