KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia men’s doubles player Soh Wooi Yik and national singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen have expressed confidence that Lee Zii Jia can regain his form ahead of the 2026 Thomas Cup.
Lee Zii Jia, the former All England champion, is currently working his way back to competitive form after injury setbacks, and both players and coaches believe he still has the experience and ability to perform at the highest level in international badminton.
Soh Wooi Yik Addresses Instagram Speculation
Soh Wooi Yik also clarified recent speculation on social media regarding his future after he changed his Instagram bio to “Pro Badminton Player,” which led some fans to believe he might leave the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) or split with his partner Aaron Chia to compete independently.
Soh Wooi Yik explained that the change did not mean he planned to leave BAM and that it was simply a personal social media update reflecting his career as a professional badminton player.
When asked whether he had ever considered leaving BAM, the 28-year-old firmly stated that the idea had never crossed his mind.
Soh Wooi Yik Supports Lee Zii Jia’s Comeback
Soh Wooi Yik also shared his support for Lee Zii Jia, saying he believes the professional singles player can return to his best level despite still working to regain rhythm after injury.
He said Lee Zii Jia has the experience and potential to bounce back and hoped the former All England champion would rediscover his top form in time for the Thomas Cup.
Lee Zii Jia to Train With National Team
Malaysia national singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen confirmed that Lee Zii Jia will join selected national team training sessions as part of preparations for the Thomas Cup 2026 in Horsens, Denmark from April 24 to May 3.
According to Jonassen, Lee will participate in several match simulation sessions alongside national team players to help improve match readiness and team preparation.
Jonassen said Lee Zii Jia is a world-class and experienced player, and training together with the national team could benefit both Lee and the other players.
He emphasized that the process will be gradual and not an immediate solution, and that communication and shared goals will be important to ensure the training environment benefits everyone.
Lee Zii Jia Expected to Play Third Singles
Lee Zii Jia, currently ranked world No. 80, is expected to play as Malaysia’s third singles player for the Thomas Cup team. He has also agreed to join the centralized training camp in Herning starting April 14 as part of the team’s preparation.
Leong Jun Hao is expected to lead Malaysia as the first singles player, while Justin Hoh is likely to take the second singles position. Another professional player, Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, has already joined training at the Academy Badminton Malaysia.
Lee Zii Jia’s presence is expected to provide additional strength and experience to the Malaysian team as they aim for a strong performance in the Thomas Cup.
Stay tuned for more badminton news and updates from the world of badminton.
