[ad_1]
PETALING JAYA: From a greenhorn to a leader, Lee Zii Jia’s role has changed dramatically in the past two years in his Thomas Cup Final campaign.
The 22-year-old played as the second single when the team was coached by Lee Chong Wei in Bangkok 2018, but in the upcoming finals in Aarhus, Denmark, from October 3-11, he will play on the opening singles.
Zii Jia thanked the Badminton Association of Malaysia for their faith in him.
“I am grateful and grateful to BAM because they have made me who I am today,” said the champion of the SEA 2019 Games.
“They have chosen to invest in me and now I want to show that they have made the right decision.”
He added that he has learned a lot from his mentor, Chong Wei.
“He has been my idol since the day of my third year. All the juniors wanted to be like him, “said Zii Jia, who was delighted to play alongside Chong Wei in the last final.
“That is the motivation and the reason I keep training hard.”
Chong Wei has since retired and Zii Jia is excited to lead a young team to Denmark.
“There will be no pressure on us as we are not expected to win,” said Zii Jia.
“We will simply prepare and do our best. We could cause some discomfort … nothing is impossible.”
Zii Jia should know that a relatively young team did the unthinkable during the Thomas Cup qualifying tournament in Manila in February when they defeated Japan en route to the final before going to fight Indonesia.
“Right now, I just hope to train again and feel the tournament again.”
[ad_2]
