10. Razif Sidek
Razif Sidek is one of Malaysia’s badminton legends, renowned for his achievements in men’s doubles and his lasting impact on the sport.
Alongside his brother Jalani Sidek, he formed a formidable pair that won nearly every major title in the 1980s and early 1990s, including the All England Championship in 1982 (their breakthrough victory).
They were known for their innovative “S” serve, which was eventually banned for its deceptive effect. Razif’s career highlights include winning gold medals at the Commonwealth Games, World Cup, Asian Championships, and Southeast Asian Games.
He was a key player in Malaysia’s historic 1992 Thomas Cup victory, which ended a 25-year drought.
Razif made history as the first Malaysian to win an Olympic medal in badminton, clinching bronze with Jalani at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.
Post-retirement, he contributed as a national coach, guiding future champions. Razif Sidek’s legacy is etched deeply in Malaysian and international badminton history.
9. Cheah Soon Kit
Cheah Soon Kit is one of Malaysia’s iconic badminton players known for his tremendous success in men’s doubles, particularly during the late 1980s and 1990s.
Partnering with Soo Beng Kiang and later Yap Kim Hock, he won Malaysia’s first Thomas Cup in 25 years in 1992.
Cheah secured a silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics with Yap Kim Hock, marking Malaysia’s first Olympic badminton medal.
He earned multiple World Championship and World Cup medals, including gold at the World Cup in 1992 and 1994.
Beyond his playing career, Cheah contributed as a coach, nurturing talents like Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik. His dedication and achievements have left a lasting legacy in Malaysian badminton history.
8. Jalani Sidek
Jalani Sidek is a Malaysian badminton legend celebrated for his exceptional achievements in men’s doubles alongside his brother Razif.
Together, they won the prestigious All England Championships in 1982, marking a breakthrough for Malaysian badminton.
They were innovators of the “S” serve, a deceptive technique that was later banned internationally. Jalani was part of the historic Malaysian team that won the Thomas Cup in 1992, ending a 25-year drought.
Along with Razif, he won a bronze medal at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Malaysia’s first Olympic badge in badminton.
The Sidek brothers collectively secured 18 IBF World Grand Prix titles and coached future generations, embedding a lasting legacy in Malaysian and global badminton history.
7. Wong Choong Hann
Wong Choong Hann is a celebrated Malaysian badminton player best known as the first Malaysian to win a medal in the men’s singles event at the BWF World Championships, securing a silver in 2003.
His career highlights include winning the 2002 Dutch Open and China Open, as well as multiple medals at the Commonwealth Games and SEA Games.
Wong represented Malaysia in the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, famously defeating reigning Olympic champion Taufik Hidayat in 2008.
Known for his tactical rally style and resilience, Wong later became coaching director for the Malaysian national team, contributing to the growth of Malaysian badminton.
6. Goh Liu Ying
Goh Liu Ying is one of Malaysia’s most celebrated mixed doubles badminton players, renowned for her remarkable achievements and resilience.
She made history with her partner Chan Peng Soon by winning a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Malaysia’s first Olympic badminton medal in mixed doubles.
Throughout her career, Goh has won multiple titles, including the Badminton Asia Championships and several BWF World Tour events.
She also secured gold in the mixed team event at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Known for her tactical gameplay and on-court chemistry with partners, Goh has been a vital figure in Malaysian badminton, inspiring future generations and earning high global rankings.
5. Soh Wooi Yik
Soh Wooi Yik is a highly accomplished Malaysian badminton player specializing in men’s doubles.
Born on February 17, 1998, he made history by winning the World Championships men’s doubles title in 2022 alongside his partner Aaron Chia, becoming Malaysia’s first world champions in this event.
The duo also won gold at the 2019 SEA Games and 2025 Asian Championships, and bronze medals at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics, as well as the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Soh and Chia are the first Malaysian men’s doubles pair to win consecutive Olympic medals.
Soh comes from a badminton family, with his father and uncle having been former national shuttlers, and has steadily risen to be one of the top doubles players in the world.
4. Aaron Chia
Aaron Chia is one of Malaysia’s premier men’s doubles badminton players, renowned for his longstanding partnership with Soh Wooi Yik.
Together, they made history by winning Malaysia’s first-ever men’s doubles World Championship title in 2022.
The pair are two-time Olympic bronze medalists, securing medals at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games, becoming the first Malaysian men’s doubles team to win back-to-back Olympic medals.
They have also won the Asian Championships and numerous BWF World Tour titles.
Known for excellent communication and teamwork, Aaron Chia has played a pivotal role in bringing Malaysian men’s doubles to the global elite, inspiring future generations.
3. Lee Zii Jia
Aaron Chia is one of Malaysia’s premier men’s doubles badminton players, renowned for his longstanding partnership with Soh Wooi Yik.
Together, they made history by winning Malaysia’s first-ever men’s doubles World Championship title in 2022.
The pair are two-time Olympic bronze medalists, securing medals at both the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games, becoming the first Malaysian men’s doubles team to win back-to-back Olympic medals.
They have also won the Asian Championships and numerous BWF World Tour titles. Known for excellent communication and teamwork, Aaron Chia has played a pivotal role in bringing Malaysian men’s doubles to the global elite, inspiring future generations.
2. Rashid Sidek
Rashid Sidek is a Malaysian badminton legend who left an indelible mark on the sport. The youngest of the famous Sidek brothers, he was instrumental in Malaysia’s 1992 Thomas Cup victory, ending a 25-year title drought.
Rashid won three consecutive Malaysian Open titles (1990–1992) and earned a bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, becoming Malaysia’s first men’s singles Olympic medalist.
He also reached the top three in world rankings and won the Asia Cup and German Open. Post-retirement, Rashid contributed as a coach, notably mentoring Lee Chong Wei and Paralympic champion Cheah Liek Hou, thus continuing his legacy of excellence both on and off the court.
1. Lee Chong Wei
Lee Chong Wei is Malaysia’s badminton icon and one of the greatest players in the sport’s history.
He held the world No. 1 ranking for a record 349 weeks and won 69 international titles, including a record 47 BWF Super Series titles.
Lee was a three-time Olympic silver medalist (2008, 2012, 2016), becoming Malaysia’s most successful Olympian. He also won multiple Commonwealth Games golds and was a dominant force in major tournaments like the All England Open.
Renowned for his speed, precision, and resilience, Lee’s illustrious career and sportsmanship have made him a national hero and global ambassador for badminton.