Zii Jia makes bold statement of intent to win world title

Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia plays a return against Brice Leverdez of France during a badminton game of the men's singles in the BWF World Championships in Tokyo. -AP Photo/Hiro Komae

SHUTTLER Lee Zii Jia has sent out a warning to his rivals of his intent to win the world title after getting off to a strong start in Tokyo.

The world No. 5 put up a clinical performance to score a convincing 21-9, 21-13 win against Frenchman Brice Leverdez in 45 minutes at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium yesterday.