TOKYO: National men's singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia started brightly before fading away to lose 21-8, 19-21, 5-21 to defending champion Chen Long in the men's singles round of 16 tie at the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza here, tonight.
Zii Jia, who is making his Olympic debut at the Tokyo Games, can take heart from a stunning first-game performance despite missing out on making the quarter-finals.
Despite injuring his right hand while leading 2-1 in the first game, reigning All England champion Zii Jia, 23, was in imperious form as he bamboozled the 32-year-old Chinese star for a big win.
However, the vastly experienced Chen Long, whose last competitive match was over 18 months ago when he lost 12-21, 18-21 to Zii Jia in the quarter-finals of the 2020 All England, cranked up the pressure to lead for the most part of the second game before winning narrowly 21-19.
In the decider, two-time world champion Chen Long showed the mark of a true champion as he dominated the proceedings to cruise to a 21-5 win after 70 minutes and go 3-2 up in his head-to-head record against Zii Jia.
At the 2016 Rio Games, Chen Long won the gold medal after beating national badminton ace Datuk Lee Chong Wei in the final, leaving 32 million Malaysians in tears.
World number six Cheng Long will meet Chou Tien-chen of Chinese Taipei in the quarter-finals Saturday (July 31).
With Zii Jia's elimination, men's doubles pair Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, who stunned Indonesian world number one Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo-Marcus Fernaldi Gideon 21-14, 21-17 in the quarter-finals earlier today, are the country's only medal hopes left in badminton.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Thu Jul 29 2021
Lee Zii Jia started brightly before fading away to lose 21-8, 19-21, 5-21 to defending champion Chen Long in the men's singles round of 16 tie at the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza here, tonight. - AP photo
COP29 climate summit draft proposes rich countries pay $250 billion per year
The draft finance deal criticised by both developed and developing nations.
Bomb squad sent to London's Gatwick Airport after terminal evacuation
This was following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage.
Kelantan urges caution amidst northeast monsoon rains
Kelantan has reminded the public in the state to refrain from outdoor activities with the arrival of the Northeast Monsoon season.
Former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern receives UN leadership award
Former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern was given a global leadership award by the United Nations Foundation.
ICC'S arrest warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant an apt decision - PM
The decision of the ICC to issue arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant is apt, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
KTMB provides two additional ETS trains for Christmas, school holidays
KTMB will provide two additional ETS trains for the KL Sentral-Padang Besar route and return trips in conjunction with the holidays.
BNM'S international reserves rise to USD118 bil as at Nov 15, 2024
Malaysia's international reserves rose to US$118.0 billion as at Nov 15, 2024, up from US$117.6 billion on Oct 30, 2024.
Findings by dark energy researchers back Einstein's conception of gravity
The findings announced are part of a years-long study of the history of the cosmos focusing upon dark energy.
NRES responds to Rimbawatch press release on COP29
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability (NRES) wishes to offer the following clarifications to the issues raised.
Online Safety Bill and Anti-Cyberbullying Laws must carefully balance rights and protections
The Online Safety Advocacy Group (OSAG) stands united with people in Malaysia in the fight against serious online harms.
Malaysia's inflation at 1.9 pct in Oct 2024 - DOSM
Malaysia's inflation rate for October 2024 has increased to 1.9 per cent, up from 1.8 per cent in September this year.
Saudi Arabia showcases Vision 2030 goals at Airshow China 2024
For the first time, Saudi Arabia is participating in the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition held recently in Zhuhai.
King Charles' coronation cost GBP 71mil, govt accounts show
The coronation of Britain's King Charles cost taxpayers GBP72 million (US$90 million), official accounts have revealed.
Couple and associate charged with trafficking 51.9 kg of meth
A married couple and a man were charged in the Magistrate's Court here today with trafficking 51.974 kilogrammes of Methamphetamine.
PDRM to consult AGC in completing Teoh Beng Hock investigation
The police may seek new testimony from existing witnesses for additional insights into the investigation of Teoh Beng Hock's death.
Thai court rejects petition over ex-PM Thaksin's political influence
Thailand's Constitutional Court rejects a petition seeking to stop Thaksin Shinawatra from interfering in the running the Pheu Thai party.
Abidin takes oath of office as Sungai Bakap assemblyman
The State Assemblyman for Sungai Bakap, Abidin Ismail, was sworn in today at the State Assembly building, Lebuh Light.
UPNM cadet officer charged with injuring junior, stomping on him with spike boots
A cadet officer at UPNM pleaded not guilty to a charge of injuring his junior by stomping on the victim's stomach with spike boots.
How Indian billionaire Gautam Adani's alleged bribery scheme took off and unraveled
The indictment was unsealed on Nov. 20, prompting a $27 billion plunge in Adani Group companies' market value.
Elon Musk blasts Australia's planned ban on social media for children
Several countries have already vowed to curb social media use by children through legislation, but Australia's policy could become one of the most stringent.