PETALING JAYA: The moments leading to Malaysia clinching her first medal at the Paris Olympics was heart-stopping, what with the thrills and spills of it all.
While millions were glued to their TV sets at home, the euphoria of the splendid victory of the men’s badminton doubles team of Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik also extended to malls, mamak restaurants and other public areas.
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Videos circulating on social media captured Malaysians watching the bronze medal match on Sunday night at electrical stores at shopping malls and at eateries.
With the 69-minute battle against the Danish pair extending past the closing time of 10pm, many stores kept their doors open to cater to shoppers who were cheering on the Malaysian team from afar.
Jubilant mood: TikTok user @lumrahrakyat posted a video of Malaysians watching the match at a well-known electronics store in 1 Utama, Petaling Jaya. (Right) Patrons at a mall in Kuala Lumpur erupted in cheers when our shuttlers won the bronze medal.
TikTok account @lumrahrakyat shared a video from a well-known electronics store at 1 Utama Shopping Centre showing a diverse group of Malaysians erupting in joy when Kim Astrup’s failed return secured the all-important 21st point for the Malaysian pair in the match.
“Finally, Malaysia’s first Olympic medal in Paris! Congratulations Aaron and Wooi Yik!” read the caption.
Another electronics store at the Lalaport Mall in Kuala Lumpur also showed the live match beyond its operating hours.
TikTok user @ladiwasheruhm posted a video of excited Malaysian fans lingering in the mall late into the night to cheer on the players.
Another video from the user highlighted what was described as “collective patriotism,” showing jubilant Malaysians refusing to leave despite the mall having closed.
This moved another user to comment: “Only sport can unite us all. Hopefully, there will be an Olympics every year.”
Another user wrote: “I’m so touched!”
The doubles shuttlers were also trending on X with the keyword “ChiaSoh” posted over 10,000 times on the platform way past the game’s ending, as long as 12 hours after.
The phrase “What a Comeback” also trended on the platform, referring to the doubles team almost facing a defeat during the second game.
Chia and Soh trailed 16-20 in the second set after losing the opening set 16-21.
However, they staged a remarkable comeback to win the second set 22-20 against Kim and his partner Anders Skaarup Rasmussen in the match played at the Adidas Arena in Port de la Chapelle.
The deciding rubber was another thriller, with the Malaysians leading 17-11 before the Danes levelled.
The Malaysian pair then tightened their game to pull off the memorable victory to secure their second Olympic bronze medal, the first coming at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
