A physically superior Lee Zii Jia is expected to storm into the new year with new targets and aspirations, beginning with a Chinese test at the upcoming Malaysia Open (Jan 9-14).
Team LZJ confirmed the shuttler's training for this year has wrapped up, and provided some updates on his condition heading into the new year.
"Post China Masters, Team LZJ has been working in maintaining and enhancing Lee's physical strength and fitness. It will be a quick break before Team LZJ tackles an important 2024," read the statement.
Lee himself looked to away on a short break as he posted some pictures on his social media.
The world number 11 is due to face Chinese shuttler Lu Guang Zu in the opening round of action at the Axiata Arena next year.
While Lee has a superior 4-1 win record against the Chinese whom he will be confident of beating on home turf, the Kedahan will need to also be prepared for an even bigger test in the second round.
This is because if all goes to plan, Lee will be facing the speedy Anthony Ginting for a place in the quarter-finals.
Lee will be hoping to add at least one title to his name before the Paris Olympics comes along, and in order to do that he will need to regularly face and beat formidable opponents such as Ginting.
This year he managed to secure one title at the Arctic Open after beating Ng Tze Yong in the final.
Ng, meanwhile, will take on Japanese Koki Watanabe in the opening round.
With the Malaysia Open being the first major event of an important Olympic year, all the top stars will be in Kuala Lumpur to start the year in the best way possible.
World number one and top seeded Viktor Axelsen who clinched the World Tour Finals last week, has Penang-born Loh Kean Yew for company in the first round, while other big names include Kodai Naraoka and Li Shi Feng.
Henry Larsson
Thu Dec 21 2023
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