KUALA LUMPUR: The Federation of Chinese Associations Malaysia (Huazong) congratulated national track cyclist Dato’ Azizulhasni Awang, and national shuttlers Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, for making the nation proud by winning a silver medal and a bronze medal, respectively, at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Its President, Tan Sri T.C Goh said whether it was the first Olympic medal contributed by Chia and Soh, or the second medal contributed by Dato’ Azizulhasni today, they are both significant for the country and the people.
He said, this is because such “Olympic spirit” is especially crucial and relevant in the ongoing combat against the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This one silver and one bronze medal is also the best present for the coming Malaysia Day celebrations,” he added.
He also proposed the government give appropriate rewards to the three Olympic medals winners.
In a statement issued today, Goh said although Malaysia failed to achieve its target of winning the first-ever Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Malaysians were nonetheless proud of the fighting spirit and sportsmanship demonstrated by our athletes.
He especially commended Dato’ Azizulhasni who is also popularly known as “Pocket rocket man” for his ‘breakthrough’ achievement in men’s keirin on the final day of at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. His latest achievement makes him one of very few Malaysian athletes to hold more than a single Olympic medal. He was a bronze medallist at the Rio Olympics held 5 years ago.
Goh who is also President of the Federation of Chinese Associations Sabah (FCAS) also commended Chia and Soh for winning the bronze medal in badminton men’s doubles. He believed this would significantly motivate the entire national badminton squad, and augurs well for the development of Malaysia’s badminton sports.
This time, Malaysia had sent a contingent of 30 athletes to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The 10 sports events competed include archery, athletics, badminton, diving, golf, gymnastics, sailing, shooting and swimming. Olympic Games records showed that Malaysia had previously clinched seven silver medals and four bronze medals; its best achievement ever was at the Rio Olympics in 2016, where it clinched four silvers and one bronze.
“Although the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is not officially over yet, since our athletes have completed all their sports events, this means we have thus far bagged eight silver medals and five bronze medals at the Olympic Games,” he said.
He also thanked all the Malaysian athletes for their great efforts, besides urging them to continue to work hard to achieve their dreams in the next Olympic Games.
“The founder of the modern Olympics, Baron Pierre de Coubertin, once said: “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part; the essential thing in life is not conquering but fighting well,” he concluded.-pr/BNN
