Malaysian shuttler Lee Zii Jia advances into the men’s singles badminton semi-finals at Paris 2024
With a strong, unwavering commitment to the game, Malaysian men’s singles player Lee Zii Jia eliminated France’s Toma Junior Popov 21-13, 24-22 during the men’s singles badminton quarterfinals on August 1. The second set had badminton fans on the edge of their seats, expecting the match to go into a rubber set but Lee’s laser focus overcame the challenge.
Read more: Lee Zii Jia: 5 things to know about Malaysia’s new badminton star
Regarded as one of the best players in the men's singles category in the current generation, this is not the 26-year-old’s first Olympic rodeo. He made his debut in the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics but was eliminated in the round of 16. This only strengthened his resolve to achieve his Olympic dream.
Early August 3, Lee, currently ranked world No. 7, took on fellow Viking friend and current world No. 3 Anders Antonsen from Denmark in a smashing match to reach the men's singles badminton semi-finals. Lee played a tight game in the first set from the get-go but managed to take the lead, winning 21-17 over Antonsen.
See also: All the Olympic medals Malaysia has ever won
He then remained calm and collected, cruised into the second set, and registered a 21-15 victory over his opponent in straight sets. Reigniting Malaysia’s dream of clinching a gold medal, Lee is now set to play reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand in the semi-finals on August 4.
