Malaysia’s top men’s singles shuttler, Lee Zii Jia, has been granted a protected ranking by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) as he continues to battle a persistent right ankle injury.
The decision means Zii Jia is unlikely to feature in the upcoming Sudirman Cup in Xiamen, China (April 27 – May 4), as protected rankings are typically granted to players facing extended periods on the sidelines.
Currently ranked world No. 9, the independent shuttler has already missed five BWF World Tour tournaments this year, causing his ranking to slide. His latest setback forced him to withdraw from the Asian Championships in Ningbo, China (April 8-13), further delaying his return to competitive action.
Following consultations with medical experts, Team LZJ confirmed that BWF has approved their application for a three-month protected ranking, allowing the 26-year-old to focus on full recovery without significant ranking consequences.
“After careful consideration and advice from the relevant parties including medical experts, our application to BWF to grant protected ranking for Lee Zii Jia is successful,” Team LZJ stated.
“The protected ranking is to allow Zii Jia to continue with his recovery from the right ankle injury.”
The protected ranking rule is not unprecedented for Malaysian players. Ng Tze Yong also benefited from it last year after undergoing two back surgeries, allowing him to return to the circuit without losing significant ground in the world rankings.
For now, Zii Jia’s immediate priority remains rehabilitation, with no set timeline for his competitive return. As Malaysia gears up for the prestigious Sudirman Cup, his absence will be felt, but the long-term goal remains a full recovery for future battles on the world stage.
Credit Photo : BERNAMA
