My children are growing up fast,” said Azizul, a father to two daughters. Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, who was there with Azizul in Tokyo, consoled the Malaysian and told him to chin up. “I cannot imagine the journey Azizul has gone through and the disappointment of missing out on gold. But I’ve told Azizul that he should be proud,” said Reezal, who shared a video of his meeting with Azizul, where the latter was seen crying unabashedly. The Malaysian team’s chef-de-mission Datuk Lee Chong Wei said the people’s hearts were pounding during the final and celebrated as though Azizul had won the gold.
