Once again, the world is welcoming the return of the Olympics in 2024. Taking place in Paris, this year’s prestigious event will kick off on July 26 and conclude on August 11. Over the decades, sportsmanship between our athletes has flourished, culminating in a tally of eight silver and five bronze medals so far. This time, there will be new names of inspiring Malaysian athletes representing the nation.
Our national athletes will compete in a diverse range of sports including cycling, weightlifting, archery, golf, sailing, taekwondo, swimming, table tennis, and shooting. While athletes such as divers Pandelela Rinong and Nur Dhabitah Sabri, as well as gymnastics queen Farah Ann will not be competing at the Olympics this year, there are great hopes for the ones who have qualified so far.
From Lee Zii Jia to Aniq Kasdan, here are 11 Malaysian athletes to watch out for at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Azizulhasni Awang (Cycling)
Renowned as the “Pocket Rocketman,” Malaysian track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang has taken on an iconic status in the country, gaining fame for earning glory by winning a bronze at the 2016 Summer Olympics and a silver at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Lee Zii Jia (Badminton)
Rising badminton star Lee Zii Jia became a household name after being crowned All England champ in 2021, which saw him rise to number 10 in world rankings. Other notable triumphs include clinching the gold at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and the 2022 Asian Championships.
Bertrand Rhodict Lises (Diving)
At just 19 years old, Bertrand Rhodict Lises, who became the first Malaysian diver to qualify for the Olympics this year, is also the first Malaysian to secure a spot for the men’s 10-metre platform event at the World Aquatic Championships 2023 in Fukuoka.
Ariana Nur Dania Mohamad Zairi (Archery)
National recurve archer and Mechanical Engineering student Ariana Nur Dania Mohamad Zairi holds the distinction of being the first student from a religious study institution to represent Malaysia in the Olympic Games.
Nur Shazrin Mohd Latif (Sailing)
Sailor Nur Shazrin Mohd Latif etched her name in the Malaysian sports record after winning a gold in the women’s ILCA 6 event at the Asian Games in 2023. Other achievements include securing two gold medals at the Southeast Asian Games and a bronze at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.
Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri (Cycling)
Known as the new ‘pocket rocketwoman’ of Malaysia, rising cyclist Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri has won two gold medals at the 2024 Asian Track Cycling Championships in New Delhi. She also became the second Malaysian woman cyclist to make the sprint podium in Asian championships history.
Aniq Kasdan (Weightlifting)
Aniq Kasdan, who won a silver at the 2021 event in Uzbekistan, became the first Malaysian weightlifter to ever stand on the podium at the World Weightlifting Championships. He also secured the top 8 position in the men’s 61 kg category at the IWF World Cup in Phuket.
Khairulnizam Afendy (Sailing)
Seasoned sailor Khairulnizam Afendy gained a silver at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta while being the first Malaysian to secure a spot in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He is set to make his fourth consecutive Olympics appearance by finishing third in the men’s ILCA 7 event at the Last Chance Regatta in Hyeres, France.
Nur Aisyah Mohamad Zubir (Cycling)
Nur Aisyah Mohamad Zubir made history as the first female road cyclist from Malaysia to compete in the Olympic Games. She has an impressive track record boasting silver and bronze medals at the Southeast Asian Games.
Johnathan Wong Guanjie (Shooting)
National shooter Johnathan Wong Guanjie won a silver in the 2015 Singapore Southeast Asian Games and brought further cheers when he was eligible for the 2016 Rio Olympics, after securing fourth place in the men’s 10 metre air pistol event.
Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom (Cycling)
Malaysian cyclist Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom’s breakthrough came in 2018 when he participated in the men’s sprint event at the UCI Track Cycling World Championship. He then acquired a gold in the men’s keirin event at the 2021 Australian National Track Cycling Championship.
For more information about the Paris 2024 Olympics, visit the official website.
