He may be 39, but Pablo has new tricks for Zii Jia

PETALING JAYA: Spain’s men’s singles shuttler Pablo Abian (pic) is the oldest player at 39 in the Paris Olympics badminton competition but watch out for him.

He has been the spoiler for many top Malaysian players in the past and is out do so again against Lee Zii Jia today.

Both Abian and Zii Jia are set to clash in the second Group G match with a spot in the last 16 at stake.

The Spaniard might not be at his prime anymore but still remains hungry in his fifth appearance in the Olympics.

Abian has previously toppled the likes of former Malaysian players Hafiz Hashim, Wong Choong Hann, and later Chong Wei Feng and Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin.

Zii Jia himself almost lost to the Spaniard in their only meeting so far in the 2021 Hylo Open before narrowly prevailing 21-11, 21-23, 24-22.

“The years go by, and luckily, I can be at the Olympic Games again,” said Abian in an interview with Badminton Europe.

“This will be my fifth appearance, but I approach it like it’s the first one.

“I’m motivated. We have prepared really well to be here in the best possible shape.

“It is really important to keep the same desire of wanting to train and improve every day, keep the same willingness to compete and improve yourself.

“The Olympic Games is the best thing an athlete can aim for, and that gives extra motivation. Facing the daily double training sessions is the toughest part many times, and then come the tournaments.

“But the Olympics is above everything. It gives you extra motivation during your low days,” he added.

Albian will attempt to defy the odds in Paris.

“The goal is to qualify from the group stage and fight for medal,” said Abian.

Abian captured gold in the European Games in Baku in 2015 and has also won 29 titles in International Challenge or Series level tournaments.

He got off to a winning start when he defeated Sri Lanka’s Viren Nettasinghe 21-9, 21-19 in his first group match at Adidas Arena in Port de la Chapelle yesterday.