Historic Gold: Leo Lee Is Paraguay's First Ibero-American Badminton Champion

Paraguayan badminton player Leo Lee has become champion of the fifth Ibero-American Badminton Championship, held in Sucre, Bolivia, marking a significant milestone for the nation’s sport. With victory in the men’s singles category, Lee secured the first medal ever won by a Paraguayan athlete in this discipline at Ibero-American level, writing a new chapter in the country’s sporting history.

The competition attracted around twenty athletes from Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Panama and Portugal, who contested the various events. Lee’s triumph saw the Paraguayan flag raised highest in the Coliseo Max Toledo, where he won the final.

“What an incredible week”

Reflecting on the achievement in a social media post, the badminton player from the city of Ciudad del Este expressed profound gratitude. “Thank God! What an incredible week in Sucre. The first Ibero-American medal for Paraguayan badminton has been won and the joy is indescribable,” he wrote, adding that he felt the support of fans both in the arena and through live broadcasts in every point.

Lee reserved special appreciation for his parents, as well as his coaches, and the Paraguayan Badminton Federation, for their trust and unconditional support. He also highlighted the contribution of his coach, who guided him throughout the week, and declared his delight at “raising the flag as high as it can go”.

Lee’s success represents an important step forward for badminton in Paraguay and opens a promising new era for the sport. The Paraguayan Badminton Federation has described the result as marking a before-and-after moment, praising the athlete, his technical team and family for an unprecedented achievement.