Kuala Lumpur — Malaysia’s top men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia is set for a challenging return to competition at the 2025 Badminton World Championships in Paris, scheduled from August 25 to 31, with a potential early clash against world No. 4 Li Shi Feng looming in Round 2.
The official draw, released Wednesday by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), places Lee Zii Jia against South Korea’s Jeon Hyeok Jin in the opening round. The Malaysian holds a psychological edge, having won three of their four previous encounters.
However, the real test could come as early as Round 2, where Lee Zii Jia is projected to meet China’s Li Shi Feng, who is heavily favored to defeat Japan’s Yushi Tanaka in his opener. In their head-to-head history, Li Shi Feng leads 4–2 against the Malaysian ace.
This tournament marks Lee Zii Jia’s first competitive appearance since March, following a lengthy recovery from an ankle injury sustained during the 2023 World Tour Finals. Although he made brief appearances at the Orleans Masters and All England in March, recurring injury issues forced his withdrawal from the US Open, Japan Open, and China Open between June and July.
Despite currently ranked No. 52 in the world, Lee Zii Jia secured his place in Paris through BWF’s protected ranking mechanism, which preserved his previous top 10 status.
🇲🇾 Malaysia’s Full Men’s Singles Draw Analysis
Leong Jun Hao, ranked No. 25 in the world, begins his World Championships journey against Switzerland’s Tobias Kuenzi in the first round. If victorious, Leong Jun Hao could face world No. 14 Kenta Nishimoto of Japan in Round 2 — a player he defeated at the China Open in July, giving him a 3–2 lead in their career meetings.
Looking further ahead, Jun Hao may meet Taiwan’s Chou Tien Chen (world No. 6) in a potential Round 3 showdown, marking a major hurdle in his campaign.
🏸 Women’s Singles Challenge
In the women’s singles bracket, Malaysia’s Goh Jin Wei has been drawn to face China’s Gao Fang Jie in her opener. Meanwhile, rising talent K. Letshanaa will take on Saloni S Mehta from Hong Kong in the first round.
🥈 Historical Note
Malaysia’s last medal in men’s singles at the World Championships came in 2015, when Lee Chong Wei captured silver in Jakarta. Fans are hopeful a new chapter will begin in Paris.
