Former international Kwan Yoke Meng believes Lee Zii Jia remains Malaysia’s most important singles player as the team prepares for this year’s Thomas Cup, despite the independent shuttler’s current world ranking.
Kwan, a member of Malaysia’s 1992 title-winning team, said Lee’s experience, temperament, and attacking ability make him the best option for the second singles position, even after his recent return from injury and limited competition in recent months.
“His quality and mentality are different. Rankings do not tell the full story,” Kwan said, referring to Lee’s proven ability to perform on the biggest stages.
Lee is currently ranked No. 63 in the world, behind national players Justin Hoh at No. 39 and Leong Jun Hao at No. 23. However, Kwan stressed that Lee’s track record and composure under pressure give him an edge that statistics alone cannot reflect.
Source: The Smart Local Malaysia
Strategically, Kwan views Lee’s potential role in the second singles slot as crucial. Positioned between Malaysia’s top doubles pair Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik and the second doubles team of Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun, Lee could play a decisive role in determining the outcome of team ties.
“This position suits him. He has the ability to secure an important point for the team,” said Kwan, who also coached Lee during his junior years.
Lee has shown strong commitment to rebuilding his form in 2026, competing in four consecutive tournaments in January as part of his comeback. A minor ankle injury forced him to withdraw from the Thailand Masters, raising short-term concerns about his fitness.
However, his entry in the German Open from Feb 24 to March 1 and his status as first reserve for the Swiss Open from March 10 to 15 suggest the setback was minor. These tournaments are expected to play a key role in sharpening his match fitness ahead of the Thomas Cup.
If selected, Lee could face tough opponents from leading badminton nations, including China’s Li Shi Feng, Denmark’s Rasmus Gemke, Japan’s Kenta Nishimoto, and Indonesia’s Alwi Farhan. Kwan noted that team strategies could change depending on player availability, but believes Lee is capable of competing with any opponent.
“On his day, he can beat anyone,” Kwan said. “He has always shown that he rises to big occasions.”
Source: BWF Corporate
Malaysia is on course to qualify for the 16-team Thomas Cup finals through their world team ranking, after missing automatic qualification at the Badminton Asia Team Championships. The team suffered a narrow 3-2 quarter-final defeat to eventual champions Japan, a tie that was played without Lee and several other senior players.
Kwan believes that with Lee back in the lineup, Malaysia’s prospects in Denmark will improve significantly.
“His presence lifts the whole team,” he said. “He brings confidence and belief, and that is very important in team competitions.”
With Lee steadily rebuilding his form and fitness, Malaysia will be hoping that the former All England champion can play a central role in their bid for Thomas Cup success this year.
