Lee Zii Jia, one of many prime gold medal contenders for the upcoming Commonwealth Video games, has determined to skip the occasion to concentrate on the World Championships, the Malaysian shuttler mentioned on Wednesday. This brightens the prospect of one of many Indian shuttlers going all the best way in Birmingham.
The Commonwealth Video games will probably be held in Birmingham from July 28 until August 8 whereas the World Championships, to be performed in Tokyo, will start on August 22.
As reported by the New Straits Instances, Lee mentioned, “I've determined to not play within the Commonwealth Video games, and it's a robust resolution, which I made after chatting with my crew.
"I've been taking part in continuous and must maintain my physique situation.
"I need to be in my finest situation for the world meet," mentioned Lee, who goals to be the primary shuttler from his nation to win the World Championships title. Lee Chong Wei, one of many best shuttlers from Malaysia, completed as runner-up on 4 events (His 2014 runner-up end was faraway from the data due to doping). Lee Chong Wei, who retired in 2019, additionally gained the lads’s singles gold on the final CWG version 4 years in the past in Gold Coast, Australia.
With world quantity 5 Lee Zii Jia out of the image, listed here are the potential contenders for the gold medal at CWG 2022 in Birmingham...
Lakshya Sen
FILE PHOTO: Lakshya Sen - AFP
Lakshya got here into the limelight with a bronze medal end on the 2021 World Championships in Huelva. The Almora-born shuttler began 2022 by successful the India Open, his first Tremendous 500 title. World No. 10 Lakshya additionally grew to become the primary male Indian shuttler to succeed in the All England Open remaining in 21 years. The drastic rise within the rankings for Lakshya allowed the Indian crew to have the required depth within the squad which finally helped within the maiden Thomas Cup triumph.
Win-loss file this 12 months - 19-10
Kidambi Srikanth
FILE PHOTO: Kidambi Srikanth. - AP
Srikanth is but to win a person silverware this 12 months along with his finest performances being reaching the semifinals at Swiss Open and Korea Open. Nevertheless, world championships silver medallist Srikanth had a vital function in India successful the 2022 Thomas Cup as he went unbeaten all through the match. World No. 11 Srikanth emerged victorious in all six singles ties he performed together with the one within the remaining in opposition to Indonesia’s Jonatan Christie. 4 years in the past within the singles remaining on the Gold Coast Commonwealth Video games, Srikanth had gone all the way down to Lee Chong Wei in three video games.
Win-loss file this 12 months - 18-6
HS Prannoy
FILE PHOTO: HS Prannoy. - AP
Like Srikanth, world No. 21 Prannoy too hasn’t tasted a lot success in particular person occasions this 12 months. His deepest run in 2022 has been the ultimate of the Swiss Open. Nevertheless, Prannoy was the largest star of India’s Thomas Cup victory because the 29-year-old gained deciding third singles matches within the quarterfinals and semifinals. Prannoy had completed fourth on the earlier Commonwealth Video games.
Win-loss file this 12 months - 17-8
Loh Kean Yew
FILE PHOTO: Singapore's Loh Kean Yew - AP
Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew surprised everybody along with his World Championships title run in Huelva final 12 months. Loh misplaced the India Open remaining to Lakshya and since then, his finest end result has been a semifinal end at Indonesia Masters. Nevertheless, Indians wouldn't underestimate the world quantity 9 who has wonderful reflexes and is fairly tough to cease as soon as he will get on a roll.
Win-loss file this 12 months - 16-7
Why is Lee Zii Jia’s absence vital?
Lee Zii Jia has had a strong 2022 season. He gained the Asian Championships (each crew and particular person) and Thailand Open whereas reaching the semifinals at German Open, All England Open and lately, the Indonesia Open. He has a powerful win-loss file of 28-4. His aggressive taking part in type has troubled virtually everybody on the circuit with the potential exception being Olympic champion Viktor Axelsen of Denmark.
Whereas he hasn’t confronted Srikanth and Prannoy this 12 months, he has gained each his conferences in opposition to Loh Kean Yew and one out of two in opposition to Lakshya.
The subsequent finest Malaysian male shuttler after Lee is Liew Daren, who's at present ranked thirtieth on the earth.
