Former champion Lee Zii Jia will not compete at the All England after being named a reserve, following his drop to 103rd in the world rankings.
FORMER champion Lee Zii Jia will not compete at the All England Badminton Championships in March after being placed on the tournament’s reserves list.
The Badminton World Federation released the entry list for the Super 1000 event, with Zii Jia named 16th among the reserves.
His placement is likely due to a significant drop in his world ranking, where he currently sits at 103rd.
Only the world’s top 32 players are eligible for direct entry into the prestigious tournament.
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Malaysia’s sole direct entry in the men’s singles is world number 30 Leong Jun Hao.
Zii Jia’s ranking slide follows an injury-plagued period that included an ankle problem from late 2024.
He returned to action at the Malaysia Open earlier this month after a 111-day competitive hiatus.
His comeback ended in a first-round defeat to India’s Ayush Shetty.
The 2021 champion and Paris Olympic bronze medallist has struggled with back and ankle issues over the past year.
He last competed at the All England in March 2025. – Bernama
