After leaving fans speculating about his well-being with his cryptic Instagram post last Friday (July 4), Lee Zii Jia has also pulled out from the Japan Open, which is scheduled for July 15 to 20.
Despite the lack of updates on his Instagram since the mysterious (and concerning) post, the official website of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) has listed Lee Zii Jia as a “Withdrawn Player.” The 2024 Paris Olympics bronze medallist suffered a right ankle injury during the final group stage action at the 2024 BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China, in December last year.
Zii Jia was scheduled to make his comeback in the Japan Open after he withdrew from the US Open last month.
After recovering from the injury, Zii Jia returned to the court at the Orleans Open in France last March, but a week later, he was once again plagued by the injury while competing at the All England Open.
Since he will not be playing at the Japan Open, the focus is likely to shift to the China Open in Changzhou that is set to take place from July 22 to 27, as well as the World Championships in Paris next August.
As of the time of writing (July 7), neither Zii Jia himself nor the Ministry of Youth & Sports have responded to the former’s withdrawal.
The National Sports Council (MSN), however, has confirmed that Malaysians have nothing to worry about despite Lee Zii Jia’s cryptic Instagram post, saying that the bronze medallist is likely to have an interest in art.
What do you think of Lee Zii Jia’s withdrawal this time?
Also read: “My next goal is to make Malaysia’s Olympics gold medal dream come true” Lee Zii Jia Tells M’sians
