What Happened to Lee Zii Jia?
Lee Zii Jia's troubles began during the BWF World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China, in December 2024, where he sustained a right ankle ligament injury that has significantly impacted his 2025 season.
The 27-year-old shuttler from Kedah was forced to retire during his Group A match against China's Li Shi Feng, despite leading 15-11 in the second set after taking the first set 22-20.
What initially seemed like a minor setback has evolved into a season-defining injury that has kept the former world No. 7 largely sidelined for most of 2025.
Tournament Withdrawals Mount
The ankle injury has forced Lee Zii Jia to withdraw from several major tournaments throughout 2025:
Malaysia Open (January 2025): Lee withdrew from the BWF World Tour 2025 season opener, with Team LZJ stating he had not fully recovered from the right ankle ligament injury.
Swiss Open (March 2025): After reaching the quarter-finals at the Orleans Masters, Zii Jia was knocked out in the first round at the All England in Birmingham and subsequently withdrew from the Swiss Open due to his right ankle injury.
US Open (June 2025): The shuttler decided to postpone his comeback, stating "the US Open might be a bit of a rush" as he focused on recovery.
Japan Open (July 2025): Most recently, Lee has withdrawn from the 2025 Japan Open Badminton Championships, which will be held from July 15 to 20, with no official statement issued by Team LZJ regarding his withdrawal.
Limited Competition in 2025
Zii Jia has only competed in two tournaments this year, the Orleans Masters and the All-England in March. His performance in these tournaments highlighted the ongoing impact of his injury:
Orleans Masters: Lost to Ireland's Nhat Nguyen 23-21, 21-7 in the quarter-finals
All England Championships: Knocked out in the first round by Hong Kong's Angus Ng Ka Long, 21-19, 16-21, 12-21
Lee later admitted he had "rushed to be back" for the All England, stating he felt pain in the first game but decided to push through.
Ranking Decline and Protected Status
The extended absence has taken its toll on Lee Zii Jia's world ranking. His world ranking has since dropped to No. 27, but he has applied for a protected ranking from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to safeguard his position during the layoff.
This represents a significant fall for the player who was previously ranked in the world's top 10 and won an Olympic bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Social Media Concerns
On July 4, 2025, Lee Zii Jia sparked widespread concern when he shared a series of disturbing black-and-white illustrations on his Instagram account, including images of a faceless, stitched-up figure holding a long, blood-stained needle, and a person lying on a sofa with sharp objects piercing their body.
The cryptic post garnered over 131,000 likes and more than 3,000 comments, sparking speculation over its meaning, including claims that he may be facing personal health or mental health issues.
Official Response and Reassurance
Following the social media incident, Malaysian authorities moved quickly to address concerns. The National Sports Council (NSC) confirmed that Zii Jia is in good condition and that there is nothing to be concerned about regarding his cryptic social media sketches.
NSC director-general Jefri Ngadirin stated that both the council and Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh had contacted Team LZJ to seek clarification, with the team confirming "there is nothing to worry about Zii Jia". The official suggested that the posts might reflect the athlete's interest in a particular form of art expression.
Team Changes and Future Plans
Adding to the challenges, Lee Zii Jia's Team LZJ confirmed in December 2024 that coaching director Wong Tat Meng would be leaving the professional team when his contract ended on December 31, 2024. Tat Meng had been instrumental in guiding Lee back into the world's top 10 and helping him secure the Olympic bronze medal.
The Road Ahead
As Lee Zii Jia continues his recovery, the badminton community remains hopeful for his return to competitive action. The 27-year-old has emphasized taking a cautious approach this time, stating "I want to deal with this carefully. I've learned my lesson from the All-England".
With his commitment to proper recovery and the support of Malaysian badminton authorities, fans eagerly await the return of one of Malaysia's most talented shuttlers to the international stage.
However, no official timeline has been provided for his competitive comeback.
About Lee Zii Jia
Lee Zii Jia is a Malaysian badminton player and Olympic bronze medalist, Asian champion, and All England champion. He won a bronze medal in the men's singles event at the 2024 Summer Olympics, becoming the third Malaysian men's singles player to win a medal at the Olympic Games after Rashid Sidek and Lee Chong Wei.
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Known for his powerful smash, especially his backhand smash, and exceptional physical agility, Lee has been one of Malaysia's most promising badminton talents and a key figure in the country's Olympic aspirations.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is based on publicly available sources, news updates, and social media posts related to Lee Zii Jia's career and health. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, details such as injury updates, rankings, and personal matters may change over time. Please refer to official statements from the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Lee Zii Jia's team, and Malaysian authorities for the most up-to-date information. This content is intended for informational purposes only and is not officially affiliated with Lee Zii Jia or the National Sports Council of Malaysia.
