RIO DE JANEIRO: Malaysia’s Lee Chong Wei lamented a third consecutive Olympic final defeat on Saturday after China’s Chen Long beat the world number one in straight games for men’s badminton singles gold.
“Today leaves me with some regrets,” said Lee, putting on a brave face following his 21-18, 21-18 defeat to second-ranked Chen, who became Olympic champion for the first time.
“I went into the finals in three Olympics and came away with three silver medals.
“For me, for Malaysia, for the fans, I think we all hoped we could win the gold. I did my best but my opponent played better,” the 33-year-old added graciously.
Despite being one of the sport’s most accomplished players, the Malaysian has never won a world or Olympic title and will retire without that elusive gold medal.
“This was my last Olympics,” Lee said, but added that he wasn’t able to think about when he will lay down his racquet for good so soon after another heartbreaking defeat.
“I can’t think so much right now but this will be my last Olympics,” said the shuttler.
It was a first gold medal for London 2012 bronze medallist Chen. He took an early 11-8 lead in what turned out to be the deciding game before stretching his hold over Lee to 20-15.
There was no way back for the quiet Lee and Chen celebrated by running with his shirt off to the Chinese fans at the Riocentro venue after inflicting more Olympic heartache on the Malaysian.
Lee lost the previous two finals at the Olympic Games, in Beijing and London, to Chinese arch-rival and badminton superstar Lin Dan.
He fought his way back to the top of the rankings after returning from a doping ban last year for a final shot at Olympic glory.
Lee finally overcame his nemesis Lin in their last-four clash in Brazil and the end of the Rio Games brings the curtain down on their Olympic rivalry.
But Lee said he wished it could have finished differently.
“It’s the fourth Olympics for both of us and we have played against each other so many times.
“After beating Lin Dan I wasn’t that happy because I could really see our match being the big final.
“I think this will definitely be the last competition for both of us,” Lee added.
His defeat meant Malaysia’s hunt for a first Olympic gold in any sport continues.
“We still need a gold medal and I hope in 2020 in Tokyo we can achieve that,” said Lee, who added that he had no words for the Malaysian people following his loss.
World number two Chen said he had been determined to ensure that the men’s singles title stayed with China after Lin was dumped out by Lee.
“The key here was that a Chinese man won badminton gold. It was a little bit unexpected for me but all the hard work has paid off,” he told reporters.
Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen defeated Lin 15-21, 21-10, 21-17 to claim bronze.
Malaysian Lee’s regrets as Chen grabs gold
Malaysian Lee’s regrets as Chen grabs gold
Teenager Flagg to fore as Mavericks upset Pistons in overtime 116-114
- The 18-year-old Flagg finished with 10 rebounds, four assists, a steal and three blocks on a night when six Mavs players finished in double figures
- In Indiana, Jalen Brunson nailed a three-pointer with four seconds remaining to give the New York Knicks a 114-113 victory over the Pacers in a rematch of last season’s NBA Eastern Conference finals
- Oklahoma City Thunder shook off the disappointment of their NBA Cup semifinal loss to rally past the struggling Los Angeles Clippers 122-101
LOS ANGELES: Cooper Flagg scored 23 points as the Dallas Mavericks dug deep to upset the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons 116-114 in a bruising overtime battle on Thursday.
No. 1 draft pick Flagg excelled at both ends of the court to help the Mavs clinch a morale-boosting victory that sees them improve to 11-17 for the season.
The 18-year-old Flagg finished with 10 rebounds, four assists, a steal and three blocks on a night when six Mavs players finished in double figures.
Cade Cunningham led the Detroit scoring with 29 points as the Pistons fell to just their sixth defeat of the season.
“They’re a great team, with great players, but we stuck with it,” Flagg said.
“We competed. We had the lead, they came back but we just stayed consistent and kept fighting.”
In Indiana, Jalen Brunson nailed a three-pointer with four seconds remaining to give the New York Knicks a 114-113 victory over the Pacers in a rematch of last season’s NBA Eastern Conference finals.
The Knicks appeared to be suffering a hangover from Tuesday’s NBA Cup final win over San Antonio as Indiana sprinted into a 35-25 lead after the first quarter before opening up a 16-point advantage in the third.
But a fourth quarter rally saw New York claw their way back into the lead in the final seconds, with Brunson nailing a 27-footer from outside the arc to clinch victory.
Brunson finished with 25 points while Mikal Bridges added 22. Andrew Nembhard led the Pacers scorers with 31 points.
Brunson was unimpressed with his personal contribution, instead singling out Tyler Kolek for praise.
Kolek finished with 16 points off the bench with 11 assists and six rebounds.
“I was garbage, start of the game,” Brunson said.
“Then my stint in the second half, I was garbage as well. I want to thank the lord for Tyler Kolek for playing the way he’s playing and saving me.”
Oklahoma City Thunder shook off the disappointment of their NBA Cup semifinal loss to rally past the struggling Los Angeles Clippers 122-101.
The Clippers led by 11 in the first quarter but the NBA champions came roaring back in the second and third to cruise to victory against a Los Angeles lineup that gave away 28 turnovers.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led Oklahoma City’s scoring with 32 points, Chet Holmgren added 22.
The Thunder improved to 25-2 for the season and remain firmly in control at the top of the Western Conference, 4.5 games clear of the Denver Nuggets.
The Nuggets improved to 20-6 with a 126-115 defeat of the Orlando Magic. Nikola Jokic posted a triple double for Denver with 23 points, 11 rebounds and 13 assists.
