Latest news with #JapanOpen
The Star
4 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Time to restore order in singles with Zii Jia's return
PETALING JAYA: Shuttler Lee Zii Jia's ( pic ) return from injury in the Japan Open from July 15-20 in Tokyo is a boost for the struggling Malaysian men's singles department. National No. 1 Zii Jia suffered a right ankle ligament injury in the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou last December and could only compete in the Orleans Masters and All-England in March so far this year. The 27-year-old's absence has been keenly felt with the likes of national No. 2 Leong Jun Hao and No. 3 Justin Hoh struggling to make an impression in the World Tour. World No. 25 Jun Hao and world No. 43 Justin's best results were reaching the quarter-finals in the Super 750 Singapore Open last week and Super 300 Taiwan Open last month respectively. In the Indonesian Open which ended on Sunday, Jun Hao, who was Malaysia's sole representative in the men's singles, went down to China's world No. 4 Li Shifeng in the second round in Jakarta. Zii Jia's return has raised hopes of lifting the gloom in the men's singles in the country. The Paris Olympics bronze medallist has registered for the Japan Open and will likely also compete in the China Open from July 22-27 in Changzhou, China. Zii Jia initially planned to make his comeback in the US Open (June 24-29) but decided to take a cautious approach and delay his return to avoid aggravating his injury. His caution is understandable with the World Championships coming up from Aug 25-31 in Paris. In the Japan tourney, Zii Jia will be joined by Jun Hao. The draw for the tournament will be released on July 8.
The Star
21 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Good news as Zii Jia makes return at Japan Open
Lee Zii Jia — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: Men singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia is set to make his long-awaited return to competitions in the Japan Open from July 15-20 in Tokyo. Zii Jia, who suffered a right ankle ligament injury during the World Tour Finals last December, last played in the back-to-back Orleans Masters and All-England in March. The 27-year-old, who initially targeted to make his comeback in the US Open from June 24-29 decided to take a cautious approach and delay his return to avoid aggravating his injury. Zii Jia's name is among the players registered for the Japan Open and he is also likely to play in the China Open from July 22-27 in Changzhou. Malaysia will also be represented in the men's singles by Leong Jun Hao in Japan.
The Star
6 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Chong Ming: Pearly-Thinaah will be better off with BAM
Ready to wear: Chan Chong Ming (right) posing with Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh and Daikin Malaysia managing director Lawrence Song. PETALING JAYA: The future of national women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) remains up in the air, but former coach Chan Chong Ming has urged the duo to think twice before parting ways with the national body. Chong Ming, a former world No. 1 in the men's doubles, served as the head coach of the women's doubles squad in 2020 and was instrumental in guiding Pearly-Thinaah to their breakthrough title at the 2021 Swiss Open, their first on the BWF World Tour. He feels the pair should not make a hasty decision to turn professional, as they could face significant challenges on their own particularly in terms of access to the sports science support system currently available at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara. Chong Ming pointed out that a lack of specialised expertise in sports science is one of the biggest hurdles for independent players, especially with Pearly's long history of injuries. 'As coaches, we may have the technical and tactical knowledge of the game, but when it comes to strength and conditioning, our expertise is still limited,' said Chong Ming after the closing ceremony of the Daikin Badminton Championship in Kota Damansara yesterday. 'These areas should be handled by professionals like physiologists. We can manage many things, but for these specialised matters, we need expert support. I believe the Youth and Sports Ministry could also step in to assist.' For the record, Pearly suffered a left knee injury during the 2022 Japan Open, which forced her to be carried off the court in a wheelchair. A year later, she also sustained a back injury while competing at the Hangzhou Asian Games in October. Moreover, at the All-England Championships held last March, Pearly experienced a left ankle injury while attempting a drop shot but continued playing after receiving treatment. Pearly-Thinaah's contract expired last December, and negotiations are still ongoing. However, on BAM's side, deputy president Datuk V. Subramaniam has made it clear that they will not budge on the salary package already offered to the world No. 4 pair.
The Star
7 days ago
- Health
- The Star
Zii Jia keeps 'em waiting over decision to join RTG or not
Olympic bronze medal winners Lee Zii Jia holding his medal as he arrives at KLIA 1 on wednesday August 7. (7/8/2024). —AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star PETALING JAYA: The ball is now in professional men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia's court as he weighs a decision on whether to accept the offer to join the elite sports programme, Road to Gold (RTG), in preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh revealed that she had met the world No. 15 last week and presented him with the terms as well as the additional support he would receive if he joins the programme. Although Zii Jia has until the end of June to make up his mind, Hannah is hopeful that he will come on board as it would allow him access to more comprehensive medical support in the event of future injuries. Zii Jia was listed in the new batch of RTG athletes due to his status as a bronze medallist at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 27-year-old had previously been offered a spot in the programme but opted to make his own preparations independently. RTG is an elite sports programme that offers additional support to athletes with the potential to deliver an Olympic gold medal. 'We met with them (Team LZJ) last week and basically discussed the benefits of the RTG programme. We hope that by offering these services to Zii Jia, he will say yes,' said Hannah. 'He has nothing to lose. It's an additional support facility provided by the government, even for independent athletes. The road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is still long, another three years and in sports, the risk of injury is always there. 'If you're part of Road to Gold, you'll receive recovery support, just like what was provided to Datuk Azizulhasni Awang and Ng Tze Yong.'' The Kedah-born shuttler is currently undergoing rehabilitation for a right ankle injury and is expected to make his return at the Japan Open in July. Apart from Zii Jia, others listed in the latest RTG batch include badminton players Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai Jemie and Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun. Also named were track cyclists Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri, as well as weightlifter Aniq Kasdan. Meanwhile, five athletes have been included in the RTG Fast Track programme. They are squash players Ng Eain Yow and S. Sivasangari, and archers Ariana Nur Dania Mohd Zairi, Syaqiera Mashayikh and Nurul Azreena Fazil. At the same time, Hannah also expressed hope that Ng Tze Yong will continue striving to earn his spot back in the RTG programme despite currently being sidelined by a serious injury. The Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) have yet to officially reveal the extent of the 25-year-old's knee injury, but speculation has been rife that it involves the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). 'I hope Tze Yong will not give up. I hope he will keep pushing until he makes a full recovery,' added Hannah.
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Chong Ming believes Pearly-Thinaah will be better off with BAM
National women's doubles shuttlers Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah in action against China's Jia Yifan-Zhang Shuxian in the semi-final match of Malaysian Masters at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil on Saturday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: The future of national women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) remains up in the air, but former coach Chan Chong Ming has urged the duo to think twice before parting ways with the national body. Chong Ming, a former world No. 1 in the men's doubles, served as the head coach of the women's doubles squad in 2020 and was instrumental in guiding Pearly-Thinaah to their breakthrough title at the 2021 Swiss Open, their first on the BWF World Tour. He feels the pair should not make a hasty decision to turn professional, as they could face significant challenges on their own particularly in terms of access to the sports science support system currently available at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara. Chong Ming pointed out that a lack of specialised expertise in sports science is one of the biggest hurdles for independent players, especially with Pearly's long history of injuries. 'As coaches, we may have the technical and tactical knowledge of the game, but when it comes to strength and conditioning, our expertise is still limited,' said Choon Ming after the closing ceremony of the Daikin Badminton Championship in Kota Damansara yesterday. 'These areas should be handled by professionals like physiologists. We can manage many things, but for these specialised matters, we need expert support. I believe the Youth and Sports Ministry could also step in to assist. For the record, Pearly suffered a left knee injury during the 2022 Japan Open, which forced her to be carried off the court in a wheelchair. A year later, she also sustained a back injury while competing at the Hangzhou Asian Games in October. Moreover, at the All-England Championships held last March, Pearly experienced a left ankle injury while attempting a drop shot but continued playing after receiving treatment. Pearly-Thinaah's contract expired last December, and negotiations are still ongoing. However, on BAM's side, deputy president Datuk V. Subramaniam has made it clear that they will not budge on the salary package already offered to the world No. 4 pair.
