**Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin Defend Spectacular Men's Doubles Title at Olympic Paris 2024**
Trang Napie
Sat Aug 10 2024
At the Olympic Paris 2024, Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin became the first men's pair - and only the third ever - to successfully defend their gold medal. Despite entering outside the top 10 rankings and with little recent notable achievements, they triumphed at the Porte de la Chapelle Arena with their second consecutive gold medal.
The final men's doubles match at the Olympic Paris 2024 unfolded over 76 intense minutes, a battle fought inch by inch until it reached a climax in the third game. Amidst the frenzy of cheering fans, alternating waves of excitement and frustration with each point, the four players on the rectangular court remained composed, delivering a truly remarkable display. Wang Chang noted the tension in the match: "Looking at the scores 21-17, 18-21, 21-19, you can see how tight it was. There was never a huge gap; it came down to just a few points. It was one of the most intense matches we've ever played." Lee Yang stood out, pouring his heart into both attacking and defending, supporting his struggling teammate during the second game.
Lee Yang reflected on their journey, stating, "Few knew us in Tokyo before, but this time many can recognize us. Over the past three years, we haven't played well. Before coming to Paris, we heard some opinions that they didn't want us to represent Chinese Taipei. I am delighted that in such fierce competition - and being placed in the toughest group, Group D - we still clinched the gold medal. I am pleased that people have seen our efforts."
His partner, Wang Chi-Lin, expressed the exhaustion and relief they experienced in overcoming adversities, "Before the tournament, we went through many ups and downs, faced many doubts, and ultimately proved ourselves once again at the Olympics. They (Liang/Wang) put a lot of pressure on us, and that was quite challenging. In the third set, we were almost out of energy, but we received a lot of support, and we are thrilled to have emerged victorious."
In the playoff for the silver medal, Aaron Chia/Soh Wooi Yik staged a remarkable comeback against Kim Astrup/Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, overcoming a four-match point deficit to defeat the Danish pair 16-21, 22-20, 21-19 in a thrilling contest.
The monumental achievement of Lee Yang and Wang Chi-Lin defending their men's doubles title at Olympic Paris 2024 against all odds showcases their exceptional skill, resilience, and determination. Their victory encapsulates the essence of badminton as a sport that demands not just physical prowess but also unwavering mental fortitude to triumph on the grandest stage of all.
Badminton, Olympics, Lee Yang, Wang Chi-Lin, Gold Medal, Men's Doubles, Olympic Paris 2024.