KUALA LUMPUR – Lee Zii Jia’s dream for the Paris Olympics gold medal ended today in the semi-finals.
The Malaysian world number seven men’s singles player, playing in his second Olympics, lost in straight games 21-14, 21-15 to reigning world champion Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena.
Advancing this far in the competition, Zii Jia admitted he would regret not winning the match against the Thai world number eight.
Nonetheless, the 26-year-old Kedah-born player gracefully accepted defeat and is already looking ahead to his bronze medal playoff match tomorrow against India’s Lakshya Sen who lost to Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in another semi-final match.
Speaking to the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Zii Jia, who turned independent in 2022, said: “Kunlavut played a really good match today. I could feel his confidence, and his form was at the very top level.
“I tried everything, all the strategies, but nothing seemed to work very well. I’m disappointed I lost the chance to be in the final.”
Despite the heartache, Zii Jia will not bow out without a fight. The former All England (2021) and Asian Championships (2022) winner aims for a podium finish.
“I still have one more match, and that is my final. I don’t have much time to process but need to focus on that now.
“Of course, having come this far, I will have regrets because I was just one step away from the gold and silver medal final.
“There is still a chance for me to win a medal at the Olympics tomorrow,” added Zii Jia, who believes Kunlavut can win gold.
With Zii Jia out of contention for the gold in Paris, the wait for the elusive medal continues for the Malaysian badminton camp.
Former men’s doubles world champions Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik also crashed out in the semi-finals on Friday.
They will play Denmark’s Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen tonight for the bronze.
Former world number one and three-time Olympic silver medallist Datuk Lee Chong Wei remains the last Malaysian singles player to reach the Olympics final.
Chong Wei won silver three times in a row, beginning with the 2008 Beijing Games. – August 4, 2024