Time to step up: Lee Zii Jia says it was a wake-up call when he lost to Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn (inset) at the Olympics. — Bernama/AFP
PETALING JAYA: Lee Zii Jia will enter the Japan Open with one intention – to exact swift revenge over Thailand’s Kunlavut Vitidsarn.
A clash in the quarter-finals between Zii Jia and Kunlavut is on the cards in the tournament starting on Tuesday in Yokohama.
The defeat is still clear in Zii Jia’s mind, having lost to the Thai just two weeks ago in the semi-finals of the Paris Olympics.
He found the Thai a tough nut to crack and went down 14-21, 15-21 but was able to put the disappointment behind him to win bronze after beating India’s Lakshya Sen while Kunlavut became the first Thai shuttler to win a medal in the Olympics when he captured silver after losing to Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen in the final.
Zii Jia believed the bronze medal was a testament of what a pro can do and credited his professional team for supporting him through thick and thin since turning independent in 2022.
“Huge acknowledgement to my team for making this dream a reality that a professional team can go this far,” said Zii Jia.
“Lots of ups and downs since 2022 and I’m proud of myself that I didn’t give up in those times of struggle.
“I’ll also keep all the blessings from everyone for me to continue my professional journey.”
The defeat to reigning world champion Kunlavut was a hard blow but Zii Jia said it was a timely wake-up call.
“Losing to Kunlavut felt like I just got slapped awake from a dream,” Zii Jia had said.
Now, after a good break and great celebration at home after winning the bronze, Zii Jia is looking to settle the score.
But Zii Jia, who moved up one rung to No. 6 in the world rankings after the Olympics, has to first navigate tricky hurdles against China’s world No. 25 Weng Hongyang in his opening match.
If he wins, it’s either Hongyang’s teammate Lei Lanxi or Singapore’s 2021 world champion Loh Kean Yew in the second round first before a possible meeting with the Thai sensation.
Meanwhile, Kunlavut, who jumped from No. 9 to No. 4 in the latest rankings, will play Frenchman Alex Lanier in the first round before a likely clash against Taiwan’s world No. 10 Chou Tien-chen in the second round.
Malaysia’s Leong Jun Hao will face Japan’s Takuma Obayashi in the first round and if he wins, he is likely to play Anders Antonsen of Denmark in the second round.
The top two seeds in the tournament are China’s Shi Yuqi and two-time Olympic Games champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.
