Wee Kiong Kundang Ulu village hero and icon

Residents of Kundang Ulu village, near here, hail national men's badminton doubles player, Tan Wee Kiong, as their hero and icon after his string of successes at the international level this year.

After winning the silver medal with his partner Goh V Shem at the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in August, the Kundang Ulu-born once again did his village and country proud when he won the 2016 World Superseries Finals title in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, last night.

He and V Shem beat Japanese duo Kamura Takeshi-Keigo Sonoda, 21-14, 21-19.

Tan Ching Hwa, Wee Kiong's uncle, said their family in Kampung Kundang Ulu was once again so proud and delighted with Wee Kiong's world championship victory and now as the country's number one doubles pair.

"I am proud of Wee Kiong's victory, not boastful about it but amazed at his earnest effort and fighting spirit that he has performed well on the world stage," he told reporters, here, today.

Ching Hwa said he knew his nephew as one who would not easily give up and was diligent since small.

"Although after completing his primary education at Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Kung Yung, here, he moved to Kuala Lumpur to continue his studies at the Bukit Jalil Sports School, I've always followed his developments and would not miss watching him on television in the matches he played, including last night's," he said.

Ching Hwa said the people of Kundang Ulu, regardless of race, were proud and impressed with Wee Kiong's achievements in badminton.

A villager, Jaffar Shaari, said although no specific recognition had been given to Wee Kiong, he and all the villagers regarded Wee Kiong as Kundang Ulu hero and icon.

"As someone from this village, I am truly proud of Wee Kiong's triumph and hope he will have more success in the badminton sport," said Jaffar, who is a close friend of Wee Kiong's father, Tan Cham Swee.

"To me, Cham Swee is an important badminton exponent in this village. I remember that 20 years ago, on his own effort, he built a badminton court using forest wood and zinc for the roof in front of his house.

"Many villagers, irrespective of race, played badminton there and I was the umpire for the village-level matches at that time," he recalled.

Jaffar said Cham Swee was responsible for unearthing and developing Wee Kiong's early talent which had made him a badminton champion today as he was the first to introduce the sport to his son when he was seven years old.

Food seller Nizam Misran, 46, said he hoped that in future, there would be more badminton champions from Kundang Ulu.

"Until today, badminton remains as the favourite sport among the villagers here and now they are even more enthusiastic to play badminton every evening after Wee Kiong's silver medal win at the Olympics," he added.

- Bernama