A strong showing at the Macau Open 2024 has triggered a significant shake-up in the latest BWF world rankings, particularly for Malaysia’s promising backup shuttlers. Leading the surge are Justin Hoh and the men’s doubles duo Wan Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King, who impressed with career-best achievements.
Justin Hoh Breaks Into Top 40
The 21-year-old Justin Hoh made headlines by reaching his first-ever World Tour final at the Super 300 Macau Open, earning him an 8-place leap to No. 37. This marks his highest ranking yet, putting him just outside the crucial top-32 bracket that guarantees entry into all tiers of the BWF World Tour.
Arif-Roy King Clinch First Title
Riding high after lifting their maiden World Tour title, Arif-Roy King climbed two spots to World No. 22 — also a career-high for the duo. Their performance cements their position as a rising threat in men’s doubles.
Meanwhile, fellow Malaysian pair Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri broke their slump with a semi-final appearance in Macau, jumping nine places to No. 43, following their return from injury earlier this year.
Breakthrough in Mixed Doubles
Surprise finalists Jimmy Wong-Lai Pei Jing in the mixed doubles also made a statement, rocketing up from No. 127 to No. 84 — their first entry into the top 100 since forming their partnership this season.
Olympic Point Expiry Hits Zii Jia Hard
With the BWF’s rolling 52-week system dropping Paris 2024 Olympic qualification points, Lee Zii Jia experienced a sharp fall — tumbling 17 spots to No. 52, his lowest since 2016.
However, fans can breathe easy. The Olympic bronze medallist and former All England champion, sidelined due to injury since March, will still enjoy a protected ranking of No. 9, allowing him entry into all World Tour events (excluding the year-end Finals). His comeback is set for the World Championships later this month.
Malaysia’s Top Shuttlers Still Holding Strong
Men’s Singles:
Leong Jun Hao leads at No. 25, followed by Zii Jia at No. 52.Men’s Doubles:
Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik stay firm at World No. 2
Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin climb to No. 3, overtaking Denmark’s Kim Astrup-Anders Rasmussen
Malaysia now has six pairs in the top 32, including:
Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun (No. 7)
Nur Azryin Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong (No. 24)
Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (No. 29)
Women’s Doubles:
Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah maintain their career-high No. 2 ranking
Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing move up to No. 18
Mixed Doubles:
Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei slip one spot to No. 4
Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai improve to No. 6
Also in top 32:
Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin (No. 16)
Wong Tien Ci-Lim Chiew Sien (No. 32)
Women’s Singles:
K. Letshanaa remains the top-ranked Malaysian woman at No. 40
A Bright Future Ahead
Despite some setbacks from the expiry of Olympic points, the overall outlook for Team Malaysia is optimistic. The rise of young talents like Justin Hoh and Arif-Roy King, combined with the steady dominance of established names, signals Malaysia’s strong depth across all categories.
As the World Championships approach, all eyes will be on Malaysia’s shuttlers — both seasoned stars and rising underdogs.
