Malaysian men’s singles shuttler Lee Zii Jia has ignited widespread concern among badminton fans after sharing a series of disturbing and graphic images on his Instagram account on July 3, 2025. The unsettling posts have left many questioning the 27-year-old’s mental and emotional well-being, particularly as he continues his recovery from a foot injury.
The Instagram carousel featured ten illustrations, many of which were deeply unsettling. Among them was an image depicting a faceless, stitched-up figure clutching a long, blood-stained needle. Another illustration showed a person lying on a sofa, their body pierced by sharp objects, with an exposed brain. The nature of these images has led to an outpouring of worry from fans globally, coming from a player known for his formidable presence on the court.
Zii Jia’s recent career has been marked by a period of recuperation. He has participated in only two tournaments this year—the Orleans Masters and the All-England, both in March—before announcing an extended break to prioritize his recovery. This hiatus has seen his world ranking drop to No. 27. To mitigate the impact of his time off, Zii Jia has reportedly applied for a protected ranking from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) to maintain his standing during the layoff.
Despite his current struggles with injury and recent dip in ranking, Lee Zii Jia is a highly accomplished athlete with a significant list of achievements. Most notably, he clinched a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the men’s singles event, becoming only the third Malaysian men’s singles player to secure an Olympic medal. His other major triumphs include winning the prestigious All England Open in 2021 and the 2022 Badminton Asia Championships. He also secured a gold medal at the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and boasts several BWF World Tour titles, including the 2024 Thailand Open and Australian Open.
The disturbing social media activity, coming amidst his injury recovery and professional break, has amplified concerns regarding the popular shuttler’s current state. Fans are eagerly awaiting further information or reassurance from Zii Jia or his representatives regarding his well-being, hoping to see the champion return to both physical and mental health.
Get well soon to Lee Zii Jia from Badminton World Tour team.