KUALA LUMPUR – Because of Malaysian badminton’s rich history at the Olympic Games, it is only natural for expectations to be sky-high at every edition of the games.
This Paris Olympics is no different. With a total of nine medals won since badminton became an official sport at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Malaysian shuttlers are once again expected to deliver.
A total of 26 Malaysian athletes will compete across 10 sports in Paris from July 26 to August 11. However, realistically, badminton remains the country’s best bet for podium finishes.
World number seven men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia has come a long way since his debut at the delayed Tokyo Olympics three years ago.
After crashing out in the last 16 stage, following a fierce three-game battle with Rio 2016 Olympics gold medallist Chen Long of China, the 26-year-old Kedah-born player has grown in stature and is now considered a medal contender.
No doubt, despite all the challenges faced by Zii Jia, both on and off the court, the former All England champion is quietly but surely looking very dangerous ahead of his second Olympics appearance.
A man of few words, the independent shuttler, despite a modest start to the season, has reached three finals this season, winning two titles (Thailand and Australian opens).
Last season, Zii Jia suffered a whopping 15 early exits (including the second round), a huge difference from only three so far this year.
The men’s singles event, boasting the likes of world number one Shi Yu Qi from China, defending champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark, Asian champion Jonatan Christie from Indonesia, and the in-form Anders Antonsen of Denmark, will be no walk in the park for Zii Jia.
But if his current form is anything to go by, Zii Jia, who has been drawn in Group G alongside Spain’s Pablo Abian and Sri Lanka’s Viren Nettasinghe, is definitely up there among the favourites to win a medal.
Of course, Zii Jia is not the only Malaysian shuttler considered to be a medal hopeful in Paris.
Former men’s doubles world champions Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik are the other Malaysians with the pedigree to win big in France.
Despite narrowly missing out on a top-four seeded spot, the world number five duo have avoided being drawn in Group D, deemed the tournament’s “Group of Death.”
Well known for their ability to rise to the occasion at major events, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallists have been working really hard behind the scenes to peak in Paris, even shedding a couple of pounds to look lean and mean for the games.
On paper, Aaron and Wooi Yik are expected to clear Group A, where they are drawn alongside world number one duo Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang of China, England’s Ben Lane and Sean Vendy, and Canada’s Adam Dong and Nyl Yakura, but don’t be surprised if they go all the way to retain their bronze or do better than before.
Apart from Zii Jia and Aaron-Wooi Yik, Malaysia’s other representatives in badminton are women’s doubles duo Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah, mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei, and women’s singles shuttler Goh Jin Wei.
The badminton competitions will start on July 27, one day after the opening ceremony at the Porte De La Chapelle Arena in Paris. – July 24, 2024