KUALA LUMPUR, 3 March 2023:
Malaysia’s badminton ace and former world No 1 Datuk Lee Chong Wei is being honoured as a permanent wax figure at Madame Tussaud’s Hong Kong from March 18.
His wax figure. previously on display at Madame Tussauds Singapore, made a quick stop here today before permanently moving to Hong Kong from tomorrow.
Chong Wei become second Malaysian and the first Malaysian athlete to grace the Hall of Madame Tussauds. His wax figure will be featured at The Champions zone, joining other sports icons such as Cristiano Ronaldo, David Beckham, Yao Ming and professional boxer Manny Pacquiao,
Actress Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh was the first Malaysian to have a wax figure commissioned in her honour. Her wax figure was placed in the Kung Fu Zone in Madame Tussauds Hong Kong.
Before retiring in June 2019, Chong Wei held the No 1 rank worldwide as a singles player for 349 weeks, including a 199-week streak from August 2008 to June 2012. He is the only Malaysian shuttler to hold a No 1 ranking for more than a year.
He has held 69 Super Series titles in his career and won the Olympic silver medal three times – 2008 Beijing, 2012 London, and 2016 Rio de Janeiro. He holds the most Olympic medals for Malaysia.
Thanking the 19 years of unstinting support by the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), he said: “My career was like a roller coaster. When I faced my doping case while qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics, my ranking fell to 182 but with everyone’s support, especially BAM, I returned as world No 1 in 11 months.”
Speaking at Madame Tussauds special showcase in Kuala Lumpur, he reiterated the donation of his Yonex jersey from his final Olympics performance in Rio 2016 as well as the SHB-01 LTD LCW shoes and Yonex Duora 10 LCW badminton racquet.
Lee shared the stance he chose for the wax figure was his signature “Ready to fight!” pose that has been seen throughout the years on thousands of badminton courts all over the world before starting any match. It represents a calm mind, a trained body that is prepared, and a heart that is determined to make Malaysia proud.
Madame Tussauds Hong Kong general manager Erik Mak shared his excitement. “It is one of the great milestones we’ve achieved to house Lee Chong Wei’s wax figure here – a significant addition to The Champions zone, which sets to inspire young generations to pursue their dreams regardless the tough hurdles they must overcome.
“Lee Chong Wei is living proof that success comes with determination and persistence, and we want to immortalise his spirit.”