[Saba Sports News] Lee Chong Wei, Chairman of the Performance Committee of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM), recently confirmed that men’s singles star Lee Zii Jia has voluntarily withdrawn from Malaysia’s national squad for the Asian Games in September. Following the US Open, Lee Zii Jia explained his situation to BAM via email, stating that his competitive form was subpar and his confidence had suffered. The association respects the player’s personal decision. In the letter, Lee Zii Jia noted that he is not in satisfactory condition at present and lacks sufficient confidence heading into the Asian Games. “I was surprised upon receiving the email, yet we accept his decision,” Lee Chong Wei revealed. “It is not that we failed to extend an invitation. After the Thomas Cup, we had already discussed arrangements for the Asian Games, team events and training camps. But after the US Open, we received his email saying he was not in a good place.” The 28-year-old Lee Zii Jia claimed the men’s singles bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games and has been striving to rediscover his peak form recently. Currently ranked 54th in the world, he bowed out in the opening round at both the Australian Open and Macau Open across his last four tournaments. He exited in the second round of the US Open before advancing to the semi-finals at the Canadian Open.
Ever since the era of Lee Chong Wei, Malaysian men’s singles badminton players have carried expectations bordering on devout devotion. After Lee Chong Wei retired, the 21-year-old Lee Zii Jia was thrust into the role of Malaysia’s top men’s singles shuttler. Back then, headlines across national media echoed almost identical phrasing: “The successor to Lee Chong Wei.” This excessive adoration masquerading as praise was never a blessing, but a double bind. Victory was taken for granted, while defeat meant letting down the whole nation. When he claimed the All England title in 2021, he was elevated to pedestal status. When he parted ways with the national association in 2022, some labelled him a traitor. Now his world ranking has plummeted amid injury troubles, and there will no doubt be voices ready to question him once again.