Two years after local badminton legend Lee Chong Wei hung up his racket, we may have finally found his successor.

Local shuttler Lee Zii Jia has emerged as the hero of Malaysia on Sunday (21 March) night.

Hard fought victory

The Kedah-born player beat current world number two Viktor Axelsen to win the men's singles crown at the 2021 All England Open Badminton Championships.

The 22-year-old defeated Axelsen in a thrilling 30-29, 20-22, 21-9 final held at the Utilita Arena Birmingham in England.

It took 74 minutes for Lee to beat Axelsen.

The gripping final marks the end of an incredible journey for Lee, the world number ten, as he also defeated the current world number one, Kento Momota from Japan, in straight sets in the quarter finals.

The last Malaysian to won the All England men's singles crown was Lee Chong Wei back in 2017.

Malaysians celebrate

Malaysians were quick to take to social media to share the joy of Lee's triumph:

We got a new All-England Champ in Lee Zii Jia #AllEngland2021 #Malaysia
— Tsewai (@sabrectw) March 21, 2021

Kemenangan yang sangat manis. Congrats Lee Zii Jia!! ?? #AllEngland2021From this To this pic.twitter.com/265dLuH37a
— a (@aliaaaaaaaaaa__) March 21, 2021

Rare occasion but yeah congrats Lee Zii Jia ?? pic.twitter.com/w0Ud5TaWUH
— (ia) Ann:e ❖ (@himmmqueensftw) March 21, 2021

Tahniah Lee Zii Jia‼️ All England Champ ?? #AllEngland2021
— FirdaussazwanMustafa (@FirdaussazwanM) March 21, 2021

Congrats lee zii jia ? the next lee chong wei ni
— nami ? (@ninanazmi19) March 21, 2021

Selepas Hafiz Hashim dan Datuk Lee Chong Wei, kita juara!!.Tahniah Lee Zii Jia!! #AllEngland2021 pic.twitter.com/Qu3lVOilB4
— Megat HMN ?? (@Taipo13) March 21, 2021

Congratulations Lee Zii Jia!?? Convincing winner and a deserved victory with a GREAT game.? well done Malaysian Badminton & the whole team. Malaysia Boleh!??
— Romei Selit ?? (@Onlymie78) March 21, 2021

Tahniah Lee Zii Jia??? Juara All England 2021 !!!???Setelah 4 tahun penantian..❤️#AllEngland2021 #MalaysiaBoleh pic.twitter.com/yF3B4wDceH
— ِAlif Syafiq Mohd Sopey (@AlifSopey) March 21, 2021

Lee Zii Jia beats World No 1 & 2 then winning All England 2021 is such an incredible thing that happen for Malaysia! Thank You! #leeziijia #AllEngland2021 #badminton
— ami? (@princessami_x) March 21, 2021

Tahniah pemain badminton negara Lee Zii Jia yang berjaya menjuarai Kejohanan Badminton All England 2021. Kemenangan yang sungguh bermakna untuk Malaysia. Terima kasih Lee Zii Jia kerana menghadiahkan kejuaraan untuk negara dan mengharumkan nama Malaysia. https://t.co/u9DMU4F9b3
— Mahdzir Khalid (@MahdzirKhalid) March 21, 2021

Congratulations, Lee Zii Jia! Bask in your glory, you earned it!

Malaysia Boleh!

Sweet Victory: 22-Year-Old Lee Zii Jia Wins All England Men’s Singles Crown

Hard fought victory

Malaysians celebrate