KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians celebrated with pride and joy as Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei delivered the nation’s first-ever World Championships mixed doubles crown — a triumph that fittingly arrived on Merdeka Day.
World No. 4 Tang Jie-Ee Wei stunned China‘s world No. 2 Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin 21-15, 21-14 at the Adidas Arena in Paris to carve Malaysian badminton history.
No Malaysian mixed doubles pair had ever reached a world final — let alone won it — before Tang Jie-Ee Wei.
The previous best was a bronze from Koo Kien Kiat-Wong Pei Tty in 2006.
The victory sparked an outpouring of emotion on social media, with fans hailing it as a historic breakthrough.
On the New Straits Times Facebook page, one supporter summed up the mood of the nation: “Heartiest congratulations to Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei on your awesome win! Happy tears are still running down my face … Selamat Hari Kemerdekaan ya, a huge honour you’ve both given Malaysia.”
Others hailed the triumph as proof of resilience and belief.
One fan wrote: “Everything is possible if you put your mind to it. That’s proof of a point.”
Another simply said: “You two fought tremendously … deserved the title championship … Wowowowow.”
On the Badminton Association of Malaysia’s official Facebook page, the sense of history was not lost on supporters.
“We’ve been waiting since 1977 for a mixed doubles gold, and it finally arrived perfectly timed on Merdeka Day!” wrote one fan, while another praised the support team: “Congrats to the players and the team working behind the scenes – physiotherapist, nutritionist, coaches etc. Their path to glory is somewhat similar to Aaron (Chia)-Soh (Wooi Yik) in 2022.”
Many also drew parallels with other iconic Malaysian sporting moments, pointing to Tang Jie-Ee Wei’s turbulent journey.
The duo briefly split earlier this year before reuniting — only to rise to the pinnacle of world badminton.
“Can make a movie on their journey … full of drama … split up, get back together and win Malaysia’s first mixed doubles world championship … I’d go to the cinema to watch this,” a supporter suggested.
For others, the timing of the win made it even more special.
“It was a great gift to Malaysia as we are celebrating Merdeka Day today. They played all out to beat the Chinese pair. This is the spirit of Malaysia.”
As the country marks its independence, Tang Jie-Ee Wei’s triumph has given Malaysians a moment of unity, pride and inspiration — a sporting milestone etched forever in the nation’s history.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
