Ying Ying Li Tamilarason once pursued an Olympic dream on Malaysia’s badminton courts. Now, she works just as hard for good grades at BYU–Hawaii, bringing the same determination that took her to the world stage.
Humble Beginnings
Tamilarason grew up in a modest family in Malaysia. Her parents worked long hours selling grilled fish and sometimes slept in cars or on benches between shifts so she could train. Badminton was always serious for her. A state coach discovered her at age 8, she played her first tournament at 9, and by 13 she joined a national sports school, representing Malaysia until she was 23 .
In Malaysia, where badminton stars like Lee Chong Wei are celebrated, Tamilarason learned early that losing meant more training and no excuses. She says her childhood felt more like a mission than a game, motivated by the hope that success could help her family have a better life.
Even though Tamilarason sometimes doubted herself, her achievements are impressive. She reached the quarterfinals at the Malaysia Masters, beat a top Japanese player to face two-time world champion Carolina Marin, and was the first Malaysian women’s singles player to reach a World Junior Championships final.
Injuries, pressure to keep her ranking, and the stress of always needing to win eventually led Tamilarason to leave the national team. Quitting meant giving up not just her career, but the only path she had ever pictured for herself.
Choosing BYU–Hawaii
After leaving the elite competition, Tamilarason first chose to study online through BYU–Pathway and BYU–Idaho. She wanted to graduate quickly, find a steady job, and stay in Malaysia with her family. But she says personal revelation through her patriarchal blessing convinced her that BYU–Hawaii was the right place for her academic and spiritual growth.
Life in Laie is very different from the national training center in Malaysia. Instead of chasing Olympic gold, Tamilarason now spends most of her time in classrooms and the library. She plays badminton mostly for fun and goes to the gym a few times a week to stay fit.
Tamilarason is now double-majoring in health and human science and education, with a minor in Japanese. She plans to graduate in winter 2027. Working as a wellness coach at Seasider Wellness, she uses her years of training to help classmates who might be new to the gym.
For Lee, exercise is not about looks or reliving the past. She said, “It is essential for students’ mental health. The body and mind are connected, and staying active and eating well help manage stress, control emotions, and think clearly during tough academic times.”
Setbacks and New Paths
Tamilarason joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints about six years ago, and it changed how she views success and failure. In sports, she learned that losing was not allowed. But at BYU–Hawaii, surrounded by gospel teachings, “I now see setbacks in school or sports as part of a process that takes patience, faith, and trust in Christ,” she shares.
Tamilarason never thought she would study at a place where students are encouraged to marry and start families, but BYU–Hawaii made that possible. She met her husband at a YSA convention prior to coming to Hawaii and says his support helps her manage school, work, and her athletic goals. Tamilarason says her main goal now is to finish her education and become a PE teacher, combining her love for coaching, children, and health. Still, when she watches her old teammates compete online, she feels some envy and admits she misses the excitement of real tournaments.
Tamilarason says returning to professional badminton would take more than just wanting it. She would need to travel internationally every month, train at a high level, and find sponsors to pay for travel and tournament costs. For a full-time student in Hawaii, that is a big challenge. Still, she has not fully left the sport. In a recent small tournament in Honolulu, she won both the singles and mixed doubles titles, showing that her skills and instincts are still strong. Tamilarason has a simple message for Malaysian students thinking about BYU–Hawaii and for anyone considering intramurals or a new sport: playing sports will not hurt your grades. She says sports are a healthy way to handle stress and make friends, as long as students remember their main reason for studying and learn to manage their time.
Priorities, Not Perfection
Lee encourages her classmates not to give up scripture study, exercise, or sleep just to finish more assignments. She believes that putting God first and taking care of your body and mind leads to better balance, more happiness, and greater success in college.
For now, Lee is happy to trade her Olympic dreams for lesson plans, wellness coaching, and the dream of inspiring children in the gym she hopes to open one day. Still, when she talks about badminton, she never uses the past tense. It seems that between BYU–Hawaii’s classrooms and its small gym, the heart of a world-class competitor is still getting ready.
