Lee Chong Wei Academy graduate delivers UAE's first Youth Olympic gold

A 16-year-old badminton prodigy hailing from the United Arab Emirates has shattered expectations by clinching the UAE's first Youth Olympic gold medal. Riyan Malhan, a trainee at the prestigious Lee Chong Wei Academy in Malaysia, achieved this feat in Dakar, Senegal. The world junior No. 3 defeated France's top-ranked Mady Sow 21-17, 21-18 in a swift 39-minute match to secure the boys' singles title.

Riyan's journey to the top began at the tender age of four when his father, an experienced coach, introduced him to the sport. He had already been making waves internationally, representing Delhi on India's junior circuit before switching allegiance to the UAE. The young champion showcased remarkable resilience, overcoming an 11-7 deficit to reclaim the lead and then punching through an 18-16 deficit in the second game with consecutive points.

This remarkable performance marks a significant milestone, potentially rattling the traditional badminton nations, including Malaysia. Notably, Riyan's victory came just two months after he clinched the Asian Under-17 boys' singles title in Chengdu, China. His performance in Dakar was the result of rigorous training across renowned badminton academies in India and Malaysia, consistently pitted against top-tier opponents.

Looking ahead, Riyan is already eyeing next year's World Championships and a spot in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.