Zii Jia could end year as world No. 2

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s professional men’s singles ace Lee Zii Jia (pic) is on the right track to gain the second best player spot by year end after being announced as the world No. 3 in the latest rankings released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) yesterday.

Zii Jia moved up one rung from his previous fourth position by collecting 91,578 points, while reigning world champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark remained on top with 122,606 followed by his compatrio, Anders Antonsen with 92,700.

Veteran shuttler Liew Daren emerged as the country’s second best player in the world rankings as he stayed in 29th place (48,009 points) followed by Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Ng Tze Yong, who moved up one rung to 35th (42,384).

Meanwhile, men’s doubles world champions Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik remained fifth (90,328 points) while two other pairs, Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani also stayed among the top 10.

Yew Sin-Ee Yi maintained their ninth spot (72,490 points) followed by Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin in 10th place (69,375).

National no. 1 women’s doubles duo, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah kept their 11th spot (66,435 points) while 2022 Syed Modi International champions, Anna CheongTeoh Mei Xing climbed to 29th (43,465) from 31st.

In the women’s singles, 2019 SEA Games champion S. Kisona moved up from 50th to 49th spot (32,019 points) while two-time former world junior champion, Goh Jin Wei placed 50th (31,441) after moving up four spots. — Bernama