KUALA LUMPUR: National men's top singles player, Lee Zii Jia can expect intense challenges in his effort to create history as the first Malaysian player to lift the World Championships scheduled in Tokyo, Japan from Aug 22 to 28.
However, former national men's singles shuttler, Roslin Hashim said Zii Jia's sacrifice in withdrawing from the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games to fully focus on training for the prestigious tournament is considered worth it if he qualifies for the final in Japan.
"Only Zii Jia knows why he withdrew from the Commonwealth Games recently, nonetheless, he needs to deliver results in Japan, personally for him, entering the final would be okay," he said when contacted by Bernama today.
Even though the 2021 All England champion was criticised for not joining the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Roslin said the matter is inevitable as he believed Zii Jia would still face criticism despite winning the World Championships title after this.
Asked who would be the nemesis threatening Zii Jia in Japan, Roslin said the main challenge of a professional player is himself in the effort to prove his capability at the championships in Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
Therefore, Roslin hopes the world's number five player would train hard and be 100 per cent ready especially psychologically to clash with all the leading challengers there.
"It is not only Zii Jia, in fact for most other top players, the biggest foe is also themselves. Zii Jia and the others have the experience and have gone through various pressure at the highest level before so all would depend on themselves to counter any problems," he said.
In this regard, national badminton legend, Datuk James Selvaraj is optimistic that Zii Jia has a good chance to shine compared to other Malaysian participants, namely Liew Daren and Ng Tze Yong at the tournament.
However, James admitted looking forward to seeing Zii Jia's performance as he was willing to let go of a golden opportunity at the Commonwealth Games.
"I just hope Zii Jia prepares and does well in the World Championships because he has a good chance of winning the men's singles gold in the Commonwealth Games but he withdrew to concentrate on the action in Japan.
Fifth seed Zii Jia is scheduled to meet unseeded player, Brice Leverdez of France in the first round.
However, Daren has been drawn to meet world number one player, Viktor Axelsen of Denmark while Tze Yong would square off with Malaysia Masters 2022 champion, Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo of Indonesia.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Fri Aug 19 2022
Fifth seed Zii Jia is scheduled to meet unseeded player, Brice Leverdez of France in the first round of the World Championships in Tokyo from Aug 22 to 28. - BERNAMA/Filepic
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.