Aaron-Wooi Yik named 2024 Olympians of the Year

Focus

The pair are currently in China competing in the BWF World Tour Finals.

12 Dec 2024 09:05am

Aaron expressed his gratitude to the Olympic Council of Malaysia and its former president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, for the recognition. - File photo

KUALA LUMPUR – National men’s doubles badminton pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik have been named Olympians of the Year for after successfully defending their bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Aaron expressed his gratitude to the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and its former president Tan Sri Mohamad Norza Zakaria, for the recognition.

“This award motivates us to continue fighting for the nation,” he said in a video message broadcast during the 27th OCM Annual Awards Night here yesterday.

The pair are currently in China competing in the BWF World Tour Finals.

The awards, held for the first time since 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, also celebrated top performers from other major sporting events held since 2020.

Among the recipients was national track cycling star Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, who was named Olympian of the Year for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

National weightlifting champion Mohamad Aniq Kasdan and squash ace S. Sivasangari were named Olympians of the Year for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the Hangzhou Asian Games, respectively, in the male and female categories.

Each awardee received a cash prize and a plaque presented by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Also present was Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh.

In addition, OCM recognised aquatic sports figure Tang Kwai Mae, fondly known as Mae Chen, with the Women & Sports Award for her nearly two decades of contributions to the development of aquatic sports in Malaysia.

Former Malaysian National Cycling Federation president, the late Datuk Abu Samah Abd. Wahab, was among 20 individuals inducted into the OCM Hall of Fame.

The event also honoured 23 national sports associations for their contributions to Malaysia's success in securing gold medals across various international events.

LIST OF WINNERS – 27th OCM AWARDS

Hall of Fame Inductees:

Officials:

Datuk S. Vegiyathuman (Athletics)

Allahyarham Datuk Abu Samah Abd. Wahab (Cycling)

Athletes:

3. Khoo Chong Beng (Athletics)

4. Late Nellan Vellasamy (Golf)

Teams:

Women’s Hockey Team, 9th Asian Games, Delhi 1982:

5. Mary Soo

6. Maheswari Kanniah