Zii Jia's comeback on the cards – but will he go through with it?
PETALING JAYA: Professional men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia is set to make an appearance at the World Championships in Paris from Aug 25-31 after a four-month absence.
Based on an update from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) on July 29, Zii Jia has confirmed his participation in the tournament after receiving an invitation from the world body.
However, should the former world No. 2 change his mind, he still has time until Aug 12 to do so.
Zii Jia had been struggling with a left ankle ligament injury since December last year, and has only competed in two tournaments this year, the Orleans Masters and All-England in March before the injury flared up again.
His management, Team LZJ, had successfully secured a protected ranking for Zii Jia, and he initially planned to return at the US Open in June, but had to withdraw as he had yet to fully recover.
For the same reason, Zii Jia also missed the China Open and Japan Open, which ended just a few weeks ago.
The former All-England champion recently sparked concern after posting a series of unsettling sketches on his social media, prompting fans to question his mental well-being.
While some viewed it as a form of artistic expression, others believe it could be a reflection of his frustration and demoralisation stemming from his prolonged absence from the court.
Meanwhile, if he competes in the World Championships this time, he will be joined by another compatriot, Leong Jun Hao, who will be making his debut in the tournament.
Paris proved to be a memorable venue for Zii Jia last year, as he captured a bronze medal at the Olympic Games.
In the women's singles event, Malaysia will also be represented by two shuttlers, Goh Jin Wei and K. Letshanaa.
All players will find out their opponents and potential path to the podium when the World Championships draw is held on Aug 13.
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