appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

liveArticle

appConfig

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sectionsV2

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

json

Agence France-Presse

Lee Zii Jia was hailed as a “hero” Monday after winning the All England Open and igniting Malaysia’s hopes of success at the Tokyo Olympics, even without retired legend Lee Chong Wei.
The young Malaysian star defeated Denmark’s Viktor Axelsen 30-29, 20-22, 21-9 Sunday to win the All England, one of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments, for the first time.
On his way to victory, the 22-year-old also beat two-time world champion Kento Momota, who was returning to international action after being injured in a car crash in Malaysia last year.
“Well done Lee Zii Jia! You are a national hero,” Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin posted on Facebook.
Hong Kong badminton team pull out of opening World Tour events in Europe over pandemic fears
“Use this victory as a catalyst to work harder and to become greater in future.”
The Star newspaper praised 10th-ranked Lee’s victory as a “smashing breakthrough on the international stage”, and declared: “A new star is born”.

The win added to hopes that Malaysia has found a player to continue the country’s success in badminton following the 2019 retirement of Lee Chong Wei.
The elder Lee was a three-time Olympic silver medallist and one of the greatest players of his generation.
Hong Kong’s Angus Ng bolsters his World Tour finals bid
Norza Zakaria, president of the Badminton Association of Malaysia, praised Lee Zii Jia’s victory as a “real achievement”.
“It augurs well with our plan to bring in new young players after the retirement of Lee Chong Wei ... and to maintain Malaysia’s presence on the international stage as a powerhouse,” he told AFP.
It came just months before the virus-delayed Tokyo Olympics but some Asian countries, notably powerhouse China, did not send players to the All England tournament.
And Norza refused to be drawn on the younger Lee’s chances at the Games.
“I don’t want to pressure him. My advice to him is to stay grounded – it’s a marathon, not a sprint.”


Mainland China’s ultra-wealthy numbers rise as Hong Kong tipped for faster growth

Malaysia’s king to pick ‘best candidate’ to head anti-corruption agency

How Southeast Asia’s aviation hubs are capturing traffic amid Iran war

Hundreds left broke after alleged Malaysian scammer vanishes with US$25 billion

Malaysia

All England Open: Malaysia celebrates Lee Zii Jia’s win and declares a new star born

Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia celebrates winning a point in the final of the All England Open. Photo: AFP

Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia is interviewed remotely holding the winner's trophy after beating Denmark's Viktor Axelsen during the men's singles final on the last day of the All England Open Badminton Championship at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham, central England, on March 21, 2021. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)

Tokyo Olympics: Hong Kong shuttler Lee Cheuk-yiu on course to qualify for 2020 Games

Lee Cheuk-yiu enjoyed a good run at the two Thailand Opens when the world tour resumed in January. Photo: AFP

This handout from the Badminton Association of Thailand taken and released on January 16, 2021 shows Hong Kong's Ng Ka Long Angus reacting after beating Taiwan's Chou Tien Chen in their men's singles semi-final match during the Thailand Open badminton tournament in Bangkok. (Photo by Handout / various sources / AFP) / -----EDITORS NOTE --- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / BADMINTON ASSOCIATION OF THAILAND " - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Lee Cheuk-yiu celebrates the win after defeating Indonesia's Anthony Ginting at the final match of men's single of Yonex-Sunrise Hong Kong Open at Hong Kong Coliseum. 18NOV19

Angus Ng hits top form to beat Hong Kong teammate Lee Cheuk-yiu and reach the Thailand Open semi-finals

Angus Ng plays his best game of the week to reach the semi-finals at the Thailand Open. Photo: Badmintonphoto

Angus Ng beats fellow teammate Lee Cheuk-yiu to reach the Thailand Open semi-finals in Bangkok. Photo: Badmintonphoto

Chou Tien-Chen of Taiwan beats Lee Zii-Jia  of Malaysia  to reach another semi-finals. Photo: Badmintonphoto

This handout from the Badminton Association of Thailand taken and released on January 15, 2021 shows an official wearing protective suit as preventive measure against Covid-19 coronavirus observing the men's single match between Taipei's Chou Tien-chen and Malaysia's Lee Zii Jia at the Thailand Open in Bangkok. (Photo by Handout / BADMINTON ASSOCIATION OF THAILAND / AFP) / -----EDITORS NOTE --- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / BADMINTON ASSOCIATION OF THAILAND " - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Hong Kong shuttlers waiting for second Covid-19 test in Bangkok before entering two open tournaments

Hong Kong’s Angus Ng leads a seven-member squad to Bangkok for their first open tournament in 10 months, provided they can clear their second Covid-19 testing upon their arrival in the Thailand capital. Photo: AFP

(FILES) In this file photo taken on December 27, 2020, Japan's badminton world number one Kento Momota plays a shot during his men's singles final match against compatriot Kanta Tsuneyama at the All-Japan National Championships badminton tournament in Tokyo. - Badminton world number one Kento Momota tested positive for the Covid-19 coronavirus on January 3, 2021, leading the Japanese federation to pull all its players out of this month's Thailand Open. (Photo by STR / various sources / AFP) / Japan OUT

All England Open: Malaysia celebrates Lee Zii Jia’s win and declares a new star born

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} The 22-year-old Lee beats Momota and Axelsen on his way to biggest title win

The 22-year-old Lee beats Momota and Axelsen on his way to biggest title win