Latest news with #LeeZiiJia
Malay Mail
14 hours ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Will Lee Zii Jia say yes? Hannah Yeoh eyes final boost for RTG team ahead of LA28
PETALING JAYA, June 3 — Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh has expressed hope that professional men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia will accept the offer to join the Road to Gold (RTG) programme in preparation for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles (LA28). Hannah said that she met with the Paris 2024 men's singles bronze medallist last week to discuss the benefits of the RTG initiative, particularly its expanded support for independent athletes. 'We do hope to offer the Road to Gold services to Zii Jia. I hope that he will say yes, because there is nothing to lose. 'The final decision lies with Zii Jia, and I am confident he will consider all factors,' she told reporters at the Daikin International Badminton Championship 2025 here today. Last April, the RTG Committee named Zii Jia, reigning Badminton Asia Championships men's doubles champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and 10 other badminton players for the RTG programme ahead of LA28. Zii Jia, ranked world number eight, had previously declined a spot in the RTG programme during the Paris 2024 cycle. The three non-badminton athletes listed in RTG for the LA28 cycle are track cyclists Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri, along with weightlifter Mohamad Aniq Kasdan. Hannah said the final list of RTG members for LA28 is expected to be known by the end of June. She said that the timing is due to the athletes' busy travel schedules, as they are frequently away for tournaments. 'We want to gather all of them who have said yes, so that we have that signing together,' she said. LA28 is slated to be held from July 14 to 30, 2028. — Bernama
The Star
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Zii Jia set to delay comeback to ensure a smashing return
Malaysia men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia in action against Hong Kong's Angus Ng Ka Long during the semi-final match of Malaysian Masters at Axiata Arena in Bukit Jalil on Saturday. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star PETALING JAYA: Men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia remains unsure of when he will be returning to the court, and rushing to make a comeback at the US Open next month might be a risk he isn't willing to take. World No. 10 Zii Jia has been nursing a right ankle ligament injury since March, and his earlier aim to be back competing at the US Open in Iowa from June 24-29 would have to be put on hold. The 27-year-old said he isn't rushing to recover and now hopes to make his return in July either at the Japan Open from July 15-20, or the China Open from July 22-27. 'Currently I'm just moving forward with my recovery, and I think the US Open might be a bit of a rush,' he said when met after the National Sports Awards at the Dorsett Grand Subang yesterday. 'So my comeback is delayed, but hopefully by the time the Japan and China Open comes around, I'll be fully prepared to be back competing.'' Having only competed at the Orleans Masters and All-England this year, Zii Jia said although his injury isn't too serious, he's treading carefully so as to not further aggravate things. 'I want to deal with this carefully. I've learned my lesson from the All-England. I had rushed to be back and this time I'm taking my time,' he said. Zii Jia had exited the All-England in the first round after losing to Hong Kong's Angus Ng Ka Long, stating that he felt pain in the first game but decided to push through. The Paris Olympics bronze medallist was nominated for the National Sportsman of the Year award, but it was won by men's doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who defended their bronze medal in Paris. Nevertheless, Zii Jia was happy to have been nominated for the award for the first time. 'I'm proud to have been nominated for it. And although I didn't get it, it shows progress for me and serves as motivation. 'Hopefully one day I will win. 'To Aaron and Wooi Yik, don't forget to treat me to some food later,' said Zii Jia to his fellow shuttlers.
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Zii Jia targets comeback at Japan Open in July
PETALING JAYA: Professional men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia expects to make his competitive return at the Japan Open, which will be held in Tokyo from July 15 to 20. Zii Jia said he does not want to rush his return following the ankle ligament injury he sustained earlier. 'I think it's a bit too soon to return at the 2025 US Open in Iowa (June 24-29), and I'll probably delay my comeback. 'Hopefully, I'll be able to return at the Japan Open and the China Open (July 22-27),' he told reporters after the 2024 National Sports Awards (ASN) ceremony here today. Zii Jia last competed at the 2025 All England in Birmingham from March 11 to 16, where he was knocked out in the first round by Hong Kong's Angus Ng Ka Long 21-19, 16-21, 12-21. The world number eight subsequently withdrew from the Swiss Open in Basel (March 18–23) due to the ankle injury. The 2024 Paris Olympic bronze medallist also expressed hope that the new Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, can make a difference to the country's badminton scene. Last Saturday, Tengku Zafrul was elected unopposed as the president during the 80th BAM Annual General Meeting (AGM). Zii Jia, who was one of the nominees for the 2024 Sportsman of the Year, hoped to win the prestigious national award one day. Men's doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik were crowned 2024 National Sportsman of the Year, their second title after winning the honour in 2022, while the 2024 National Sportswoman award went to lawn bowler Nor Farah Ain Abdullah.
Barnama
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Barnama
Zii Jia Targets Comeback At Japan Open In July
PETALING JAYA, May 13 (Bernama) -- Professional men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia expects to make his competitive return at the Japan Open, which will be held in Tokyo from July 15 to 20. Zii Jia said he does not want to rush his return following the ankle ligament injury he sustained earlier. 'I think it's a bit too soon to return at the 2025 US Open in Iowa (June 24-29), and I'll probably delay my comeback. bootstrap slideshow 'Hopefully, I'll be able to return at the Japan Open and the China Open (July 22-27),' he told reporters after the 2024 National Sports Awards (ASN) ceremony here today. Zii Jia last competed at the 2025 All England in Birmingham from March 11 to 16, where he was knocked out in the first round by Hong Kong's Angus Ng Ka Long 21-19, 16-21, 12-21. The world number eight subsequently withdrew from the Swiss Open in Basel (March 18–23) due to the ankle injury. The 2024 Paris Olympic bronze medallist also expressed hope that the new Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president, Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, can make a difference to the country's badminton scene. Last Saturday, Tengku Zafrul was elected unopposed as the president during the 80th BAM Annual General Meeting (AGM). Zii Jia, who was one of the nominees for the 2024 Sportsman of the Year, hoped to win the prestigious national award one day.
New Straits Times
13-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Zii Jia says US Open comeback unlikely, eyes Japan Open return
SUBANG JAYA: Independent shuttler Lee Zii Jia is likely to postpone his comeback until the Japan Open on July 15-20. Zii Jia, who has not seen action since early March, said he does not want to rush his recovery process and risk another injury. The 27-year-old had originally planned to make his comeback at the US Open (June 24-29). "I am moving forward with my recovery process now, however, (coming back) at the US Open might be a bit too rushed," said Zii Jia when met at the National Sports Awards ceremony today (May 13). "It is likely I will delay my comeback. Hopefully I can play by the Japan Open and China Open (July 22-July 27). "It is nothing serious, I am just dealing with the injury much more carefully this time after learning from what happened at the All England Championships. "I felt that I was rushing it (comeback at All England) . I feel that it is better to be more careful this time." Zii Jia picked up an ankle injury during the BWF World Tour Finals in China in December which sidelined him in January and February. He, however, aggravated the injury at the All England Championships in March. He was granted with a ranking protection privilege by the BWF which has thus allowed him to fully focus on his recovery.
