Zii Jia: Kumamoto Masters Decision – Badminton Update

PETALING JAYA: Badminton fans are on edge as the next 72 hours will determine whether former Asian champion Lee Zii Jia (pic) will go ahead with his participation in the Kumamoto Masters from Nov 11 to 16, or withdraw once again.

The withdrawal deadline for the Kumamoto Masters is tomorrow, and if Zii Jia decides to go ahead, it will be his sixth tournament of the year.

Earlier this month, Zii Jia announced that he would skip the European tour, which includes the Denmark Open, French Open and this week’s Hylo Open in Saarbrucken, Germany, due to a back injury. It was a setback for the former world No. 2, who had only recently returned from a long layoff caused by an ankle injury that sidelined him for five months before making his comeback at the World Championships in Paris in August.

If he decides to go ahead with the Kumamoto Masters, Zii Jia and the rest of the field will find out their opponents and seedings during the draw on Tuesday.

His inclusion on the entry list is also a positive sign, indicating that he is recovering well.

The 26-year-old has also registered for the Australian Open in Sydney the following week and the Syed Modi International in India on Nov 25.

Several top names have already withdrawn from the Kumamoto event, including Anders Antonsen, Viktor Axelsen, Jonatan Christie and Anthony Ginting.

Last year, Zii Jia reached the quarter-finals of the same event before bowing out to Jonatan.