According to BA of Malaysia (BAM) coaching director Wong Choong Hann, the next two years will be crucial for Lee Zii Jia in his hope of becoming a world-beater.
In response to recent comments by World No 1 Kento Momota, who defeated Zii Jia in the semi-finals of last week’s Malaysia Masters, Choong Hann said: “I agree with Momota. Zii Jia can be erratic on court when things don’t go his way.
“He loses focus and doesn’t have patience.
“However, there is no easy way to become a more stable player.
“Take Momota for example, people say he is like a machine. I see him as a player with very little loose ends.
“He didn’t become a player like this overnight. For him to have so much confidence and composure on court proves that he is well-equipped in terms of skill sets.
“Zii Jia, on the other hand, has got a lot more to improve. He has what it takes but is not there yet. We must accept this fact.
“He won’t have it easy, not in the next two years. He will need to take a beating from other top players and be exposed to what he lacks.
“As a player, you will never have enough,” he said.
Choong Hann also admitted that Zii Jia is Malaysia’s best bet for a shot at glory at this year’s Tokyo Olympics.
“Of course, there are short and long term plans for him. If we want to talk about this year’s Olympics, anything can happen.
“The Olympics is very different. Players can just peak and surprise anyone,” Choong Hann added.
While Zii Jia remains Malaysia's brightest hope for the Olympics this year, Choong Hann is already looking at building a squad of medal contenders for the 2024 Paris edition.
“It's a crucial year for Cheam June Wei. We have given him a chance to prove himself.
“We also have three young players (Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin, Ng Tze Yong and Lim Chong King) who did reasonably well last year.
“We want to prepare these players for the long run. We need to see them move up to the next level,” Choong Hann added.
INDONESIA MASTERS RESULTS (All Finals) — Men’s singles: Anthony Sinisuka Ginting (Ina) bt Anders Antonsen (Den) 17-21, 21-15, 21-9; Doubles: Marcus Fernaldi Gideon-Kevin Sanjaya Sukamuljo (Ina) bt Mohammad Ahsan-Hendra Setiawan (Ina) 21-15, 21-16;
Women’s singles: Ratchanok Intanon (Tha) bt Carolina Marin (Spa) 21-19, 11-21, 21-18; Doubles: Greysia Polii-Apriyani Rahayu (Ina) bt Maiken Fruergaard-Sara Thygesen (Den) 18-21, 21-11, 23-21;
Mixed doubles: Zheng Siwei-Huang Ya Qiong (Chn) bt Wang Yi Lyu-Huang Dong Ping (Chn) 21-9, 21-9.