KUALA LUMPUR — Just days after being embroiled in controversy over an upside-down Jalur Gemilang emblem on his shirt, Malaysia’s top men’s singles player, Lee Zii Jia, suffered another blow as he was forced to retire from his final Group A match at the World Tour Finals today against China’s Li Shi Feng.
The Badminton World Federation (BWF) confirmed that the 26-year-old, who reached the semi-finals after securing earlier wins against Chinese Taipei’s Chou Tien Chen and Denmark’s Anders Antonsen, sustained a right ankle injury.
World number eight Zii Jia was leading 22-20, 15-11 against Shi Feng, a last-minute inclusion in the tournament, before he was forced to throw in the towel and had to be wheeled off the court.
Zii Jia’s withdrawal means all his previous results have been nullified, allowing his group opponents to progress based on revised standings.
Lee Zii Jia retires from the match due to an ankle injury! Wishing him a fast recovery.
— BWF (@bwfmedia) December 13, 2024
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Team LZJ, in a brief statement, said, “Zii Jia’s participation at the World Tour Finals has unfortunately ended due to a right ankle injury. He is currently receiving the necessary medical attention.”
At the same time, the BWF also issued a statement confirming, “Lee Zii Jia has sustained a right ankle injury. As he retired, all his previous results have been deleted.”
Since making his debut at the 2020 World Tour Finals in Bangkok, Zii Jia has only reached the semi-finals once, in 2021 in Bali.
This year’s tournament also marked Zii Jia’s final assignment under head coach Wong Tat Meng, who will step down after the competition.
Under Tat Meng’s guidance over the past year, Zii Jia achieved significant success, including a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Team LZJ has confirmed that Zii Jia will begin the 2025 season with a new coach as he looks to build on his promising career. — December 13, 2024