The outstanding success of Malaysia’s men’s doubles pair, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik, at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games earned them the title of Olympians of the Year during the 27th Malaysian Olympic Council (MOM) Awards Night.

The award recognizes their extraordinary achievement of winning a bronze medal after defeating Denmark’s duo, Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, in the third-place playoff.

“This award motivates us to keep fighting for the country,” said Aaron in a video message broadcast during the event.

The world’s fifth-ranked pair could not attend the ceremony as they were representing Malaysia in the Badminton World Federation (BWF) World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China, where they advanced past the first round by defeating the host pair, He Ji Ting and Ren Xiang Yu, with scores of 17-21, 21-18, and 21-15.

The MOM Awards Night returned for its 27th edition, the first since 2019, following a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It celebrated top Olympians for their achievements in major sports events held from 2020 to 2024.

National track cycling star Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang was also named Olympian of the Year for his silver medal in the keirin event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in August 2021.

Weightlifting champion Mohamad Aniq Kasdan and squash star S. Sivasangari were named Olympians of the Year for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the Hangzhou Asian Games 2022, respectively, in the men’s and women’s categories.

All Olympian of the Year winners received cash prizes and plaques presented by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. Minister of Youth and Sports, Hannah Yeoh, was also present at the event.

Meanwhile, Tang Kwai Mae, better known as Mae Chen, was awarded the MOM Women and Sports Award for her nearly two decades of contributions to advancing aquatic sports in Malaysia.

The late Datuk Abu Samah Abd Wahab, former President of the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (PKBM), was among 20 individuals inducted into the MOM Hall of Fame.

Additionally, 23 national sports associations were honored for their contributions to Malaysia’s contingent in achieving success and winning gold medals at various international sports events.

Source: Awani