KUALA LUMPUR: While Malaysia's top men's singles player Lee Zii Jia has yet to confirm his participation in this year's Thomas Cup campaign, the world No. 11 appears to be in high spirits ahead of the Asian Championships (BAC) in Ningbo, China.
Today (April 9), local news agency CGTN Sports Scene shared photos of the 26-year-old shuttler training at the Ningbo Olympic Sports Centre, under the watchful eye of his coach Wong Tat Meng.
Additionally, Team LZJ also shared on their social media platforms that the former champion has safely arrived in China, tested the courts and is ready for the challenge.
Zii Jia, who was crowned champion in 2022 after parting ways with the BA of Malaysia (BAM), will face India's Priyanshu Rajawat in the first round on Wednesday (April 10).
Barring any upsets, the former All England champion will face either Taiwan's Chou Tien Chen or China's Weng Hong Yang in the second.
Despite the Kedah-born's non-committal stance regarding the Thomas Cup in Chengdu, China, on April 27-May 5, words of encouragement poured in from his devoted fans.
"All the best Zii Jia, stay focused and never give up," said one fan on X.
"Keep fighting Zii Jia, we hope to see you play until the weekend," said another.
Zii Jia stands as Malaysia's sole representative in the men's singles event at the Asian Championships and is also the only Malaysian men's singles player to qualify for the Paris Olympics this year.
In the men's doubles, former world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik are also fired up to make an impact after reaching the All England final last month.
Currently ranked No. 5 in the world, the 2022 finalists hope to capitalise on their favourable draw.
Aaron-Wooi Yik will play a qualifier in the first round and are only expected to be really tested in the quarter-finals, where they will likely face seventh seeds Liu Yu Chen-Ou Xuan Yi of China.
The other Malaysian men's doubles in the main draw are world No. 12 Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani.
Yew Sin-Ee Yi, who could still make the Thomas Cup squad, play Japan's Ayato Endo-Yuta Takei in the opening round, while Wei Chong-Kai Wun take on China's Chen Bo Yang-Liu Yi.
However, Sze Fei-Izzuddin face a tall order as they are up against reigning world champions Kang Min Hyuk-Seo Seung Jae of South Korea in the first round.