Lee Zii Jia Secures Win Against Naraoka in All England Campaign

Lee Zii Jia avoided an early upset at the All England in Birmingham by defeating Japan’s Kodai Naraoka 21-12, 21-19. Despite the pressure, the 2021 champion elevated his performance to secure only his second victory over Naraoka in five meetings.

Interestingly, Zii Jia’s previous win against Naraoka also occurred at the All England last year. With a track record of reaching at least the semi-finals in his past four appearances, Zii Jia now faces former world champion Loh Kean Yew of Singapore in the next round.

Reflecting on his win, Zii Jia attributed his success to focusing on his attacking gameplay despite Naraoka’s strong defensive abilities. He acknowledged the challenge posed by Naraoka’s style of play but expressed satisfaction with his performance despite some late errors.