Badminton legend Lee Chong Wei gets his own wax figure at Madame Tussauds Singapore

Of course, the resemblance is almost uncanny.

Oct. 17, 2022

Badminton legend Lee Chong Wei gets his own wax figure at Madame Tussauds Singapore

When celebrities, athletes, and other influential figures gather more clout and fame, there's usually one good indicator of how far they've 'made it'.

Of course, you've got money, fame, and the adoration of your supporters. But if there's one thing that solidifies your place in history, it's a wax figure at Madam Tussauds. Sure, they may not be everyone's cup of tea, but finding a new 'home' in one of these exhibitions is a reflection of the impact you've made as a person in your field.

One Malaysian athlete to have recently joined that exclusive club is former world number one badminton player Lee Chong Wei. The legendary shuttler is also the first Malaysian to "grace the halls of Madame Tussauds".

First Malaysian sportsperson at Madame Tussauds.

IMAGE: @mtssingapore / Instagram

According to Madame Tussauds Singapore, Lee's wax figure will only be in Singapore for a limited period, before moving on to its permanent home in Hong Kong in the first quarter of 2023.

Lee's wax figure will stand proudly alongside other top athletes from across the globe, including the likes of legendary football players Cristiano Ronaldo and David Beckham. As the former world number one in badminton, Lee spent a whopping 349 consecutive weeks as the top badminton player worldwide, with 199 of those weeks running consecutively.

The Malaysian sportsman also holds 69 super series titles under his belt, along with a stint as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador representing Malaysia.

IMAGE: Madame Tussauds Singapore

Lee's journey to becoming a celebrated wax figure started all the way back in November 2019, when he had to undergo a grueling six-hour sitting as a team from Madame Tussauds took over 200 measurements of his body. Making Lee's wax figure extra special is the jersey it's wearing – the official jersey from his final Olympics performance in Rio 2016.

“Sports legends are extraordinary, larger-than-life individuals who have the unique ability to capture the hearts of fans and inspire the younger generation from around the world," said Steven Chung, General Manager at Madame Tussauds Singapore.

"We are proud to be chosen as the first Madame Tussauds to display Lee, one of this region’s best ever, right here in Singapore, where he will stand among giants in our very own Sports ‘Hall of Fame’."

If you want to see Lee's wax figure in person, you can buy tickets here, starting at S$32 (US$22.44).