KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s top men’s singles player Leong Jun Hao is determined to bounce back at next month’s All England as he looks to reset his season after a challenging start to the year.
The world No. 27 has endured an uneven campaign in early 2026, including a Round of 16 finish at the Malaysia Open before retiring in the opening round of the India Open. He subsequently withdrew from the Indonesia Masters and did not compete in the Thailand Masters or the Badminton Asia Team Championships in Qingdao.
Speaking after a training session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia, Leong explained that the decision to step away from competition was made collectively with his coaching team.
“There wasn’t any major issue behind the withdrawals,” he said. “I had been unwell recently, including a fever, which affected my preparation and training rhythm. We felt it was better to prioritise recovery and ensure I can compete at my best level for the All England.”
He acknowledged that the illness disrupted his physical conditioning and on-court sharpness, but added that his health has improved significantly over the past few weeks.
“Right now, my body feels much better and training has been progressing well. The focus is to build momentum and arrive in Birmingham fully prepared,” he added.
The All England, scheduled from March 3 to 8, is one of badminton’s most prestigious tournaments and carries Super 1000 status on the BWF World Tour calendar.
Notably, Leong will be Malaysia’s sole men’s singles representative at this year’s All England. Lee Zii Jia is no longer protected by ranking safeguards, while Justin Hoh remains listed as fifth reserve and is unlikely to enter the main draw.
With the spotlight firmly on him, Leong Jun Hao now carries the responsibility of leading Malaysia’s men’s singles challenge at the historic tournament — a stage where he hopes to rediscover his best form and deliver a statement performance in global badminton competition.
