Malaysian wins men’s title in Asia Championships 2022
CEBU – Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia captured his first-ever Asian title as he prevailed over Jonatan Christie of Indonesia, 21-17, 23-21, in the men’s singles finals of the Smart Badminton Asia Championships 2022 last Sunday at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex in Muntinlupa City.
Lee Zii Jia, the seventh-ranked player in the world, gained 12,000 points for BWF World Rankings to create some separation over the eighth-ranked Christie who received 10,200. The other semifinalists in China’s Weng Hong Yang and Indonesia’s Chico Auta Dwi Wardoyo bagged 8,400 points each.
Almost two years and seven months after getting his first-ever Southeast Asian Games gold in this very same venue, Lee made another first with this Asian title.
“This is a very special place for me,” Lee shared. “I would like to thank the fans in the Philippines and around the world, especially my hometown, Malaysia, for the support. I think this is the best present for them. This is how I repay them, and hopefully, more to come.”