Badminton News: Malaysian badminton legend Lee Chong Wei sees no problem with world number 5 Lee Zii Jia’s decision to miss the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham next month in his bid for the world championship title in August.
The withdrawal of the world number 5 has been a blow to the hopes of the national contingent to retain the men’s singles gold that Lee Chong Wei won at the Commonwealth Games Gold Coast four years ago.
It will also be a daunting task for Malaysia to reclaim mixed team gold from India in the absence of the reigning Asian champions as 24-year-old Zii Jia can be counted on to score a singles point gentlemen.
National number 3 Ng Tze Yong is expected to be called up to fill the void left by Zii Jia, but it remains to be seen whether the world number 48 will be up to the challenge, especially against India’s formidable Thomas Cup winners. .
Worryingly, the Commonwealth Games is no longer an event Malaysia can control with the emergence of rivals like India and Singapore.
“Zii Jia is a professional…it’s up to him whether he plays for the country or not. He’s not tied to national team duties,” Chong Wei said.
However, he showed that he always took the Commonwealth Games seriously during his time with the national team.
Lee Chong Wei competed in three Commonwealth Games in total, winning five gold medals and one silver. The only time he couldn’t was at the Glasgow edition in 2014 when he was being treated for a thigh injury.
He won men’s singles at Melbourne 2006, New Delhi 2010 and Gold Coast 2018. He also led Malaysia to mixed team gold in 2006 and 2010.
“As a national player, I am obligated to represent the country in major multi-sport games, a task I am happy to fulfill,” Chong Wei said.
“The Olympics will always be the top priority, followed by the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.
“I personally see the Commonwealth as a very prestigious event as it takes place every four years. It’s a great honor to win gold to add to Malaysia’s medal tally,” added the owner of three medals. Olympic silver.
Tags: lee chong wei, Lee Zii Jia, Commonwealth Games 2022
Published by Ligaolahraga.com at https://www.ligaolahraga.com/badminton/lee-chong-wei-kecewa-lee-zii-jia-mundur-dari-commonwealth-games-2022
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