Aksel Kryhlmand
His 2025 form has been mixed, showing flashes of brilliance, such as wins over Jonatan Christie and Kodai Naraoka, but often marred by sluggish starts and inconsistency
Malaysia has a new men’s singles No. 1, as Leong Jun Hao edges ahead of Lee Zii Jia in the latest Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings. But while the milestone is a personal confidence boost for the 25-year-old shuttler, national singles coaching director Kenneth Jonassen insists it’s not a cause for celebration, yet.
A Rankings Shift Driven by Injury
Jun Hao climbed one spot to No. 26 in the world, while Zii Jia, who is still recovering from a ligament injury to his right ankle, dropped seven places to No. 28. The injury occurred during the 2024 BWF World Tour Finals, and Zii Jia is targeting a return at the Japan Open (July 15–20).
It doesn’t really mean anything,” said Jonassen when asked about Jun Hao’s new status. “It’s unfortunate that Lee is out with an injury. I hope he will return soon.
Team Malaysia vs. The World
Jonassen, who has overseen the national singles squad since 2018, brushed aside talk of rivalry between national and independent players.
My mindset is not about internal competition. It’s all of us against the world,
Referencing the top-10 players globally, a list currently headed by Kunlavut Vitidsarn (THA), Anders Antonsen (DEN), and Shi Yuqi (CHN).
Pressure Builds for Jun Hao
While the BWF ranking brings visibility, it also raises expectations. Jun Hao has yet to follow up on his runner-up finish at the Kumamoto Masters in November 2024 with another breakthrough. His 2025 form has been mixed, showing flashes of brilliance, such as wins over Jonatan Christie and Kodai Naraoka, but often marred by sluggish starts and inconsistency.
Those are areas we’re focusing on,” said Jonassen. “He needs to improve his consistency and mentality when under pressure.
Jun Hao will soon have a chance to test his mettle again with back-to-back tournaments, Japan Open (July 15–20). followed by the China Open (July 22–27).
National Squad on the Rise
Beyond Jun Hao, the latest rankings brought modest gains for other national players. Justin Hoh rose to No. 42, while Eogene Ewe climbed two spots to No. 101, highlighting incremental progress under Jonassen’s system.
With the 2025 World Championships and Olympic qualification window looming, Jun Hao’s position as Malaysia’s top-ranked singles player marks both a personal milestone and a turning point for the national squad.