KUALA LUMPUR: Shuttler Lee Zii Jia wants to achieve what no Malaysian has done before — win a world title in badminton.
Yesterday, the men's singles hot shot told the Badminton World Federation (BWF) that his eyes are fixed on the top prize when the World Championships get underway in Tokyo tomorrow.
Having already won the Asian crown in May, the 24-year-old now wants to etch his name in the history books.
"Malaysia has never won an Olympic gold or a World Championships title (in badminton). Of course, I want to be the first to win them.
"Hopefully, I will get to bring out my best, so we can see some good results this week," said the Kedah-born, who will open his campaign against France's Brice Leverdez in the first round.
Zii Jia, who turned professional in January, courted controversy recently when he chose to sit out of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games last month.
In his defence, the former All England champion said he decided to do so to recover from a minor hip injury in time for the world meet.
"My injury is not bad, and I'm feeling good now.
"As I mentioned earlier, I'm hoping to perform well in this tournament," added Zii Jia, who, apart from winning the Thailand Open in May, also inspired Malaysia to a historic Asia Team Championship (BATC) title in February.
Should Zii Jia clinch the world crown, he will achieve what former world No 1 Lee Chong Wei, who was a silver medallist thrice (2011, 2013 and 2015), fail to do.
Zii Jia, who has never gone beyond the quarter-finals, will have his work cut out in Tokyo. The world No 5 is in the same half of the draw as world No 2 Kento Momota, India's Thomas Cup heroes, K. Srikanth, Lakshya Sen and H.S. Prannoy, world No 3 Anders Antonsen and reigning world champion Loh Kean Yew.
The other Malaysians in the fray are Commonwealth Games silver medallist Ng Yze Yong and Liew Daren.
Tze Yong, who stood in brilliantly for Zii Jia in Birmingham, will take on Indonesia's Chico Aura Dwi Wardoyo in the first round, while Daren is up against world No 1 Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.
The World Championships this year will take place at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.