PETALING JAYA: Lee Hup Wei had high hopes in his Olympics swansong but instead it turned into his worst nightmare.
The 34-year-old high jumper was ready to soar in Tokyo after posting consistent jumps of 2.22m. But at the Olympic Stadium during the Group A qualification, he failed to clear all three starting jump of 2.17m.
In the 2008 Beijing Games, Hup Wei cleared 2.20m to finish 32nd while in London four years later, he was 30th with a clearance of 2.16m.
He revealed that the pressure got to him and he could not time his run-ups well.
“Two weeks before the Games, I felt good. My ankle which was bugging me previously was fine and even before I flew to Tokyo, I managed 2.22m without any issues.
“But on competition day, I just could not get the feeling at all. It is a feeling that I can’t describe. I just could not get off,” he said.
“I am still upset with the whole episode but I want to thank the Malaysian fans who have been so supportive of my endeavours throughout the years.
“When I saw their reactions on social media, I told myself to gather the courage and come out stronger. Tokyo is definitely my last Olympics. I will now push myself to compete in the Commonwealth and Asian Games in 2022. That is the target and the preparation will start soon.”
At the last Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast in 2018, Hup Wei finished eighth with a jump of 2.21m and came in 10th at the Jakarta Asiad with 2.20m.
Hup Wei, who returned home last Monday, said he wants to take a break and be with his loved ones.
He added that the Tokyo Games was the toughest in terms of preparations.
“Imagine having to wait for more than a year due to Covid-19. During that period, I contracted the virus and it disrupted my training programmes.
“Then there’s the issue with my ankle but all that failed to deter me from giving my best in Tokyo. But I will move on from this dark phase in my journey. All athletes around the world would have experienced these heartbreaking moments… I’m not the only one.
“Now, I just want to take it easy and relax my mind.”
