Malaysia finally has a new badminton world No. 1 after eight long years!
Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani have officially become the top-ranked men’s doubles pair in the world, ending Denmark’s Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen’s 23-week reign. The latest BWF rankings released on Tuesday confirmed their remarkable rise.
This milestone marks Malaysia’s first world No. 1 since Lee Chong Wei held the title back in June 2017. For men’s doubles, the last time Malaysia hit the top was when Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong did it in March 2017.
However, holding onto that No. 1 spot won’t be easy.
To stay at the top, Sze Fei-Izzuddin need to reach at least the final at the ongoing Singapore Open. If they fail to do so and Astrup-Rasmussen clinch the title, the Danes could reclaim the top spot.
Interestingly, the Danes also have pressure on their side – they’re defending semi-final points from last year’s tournament. If Sze Fei-Izzuddin make it to the semis while the Danes exit in the quarter-finals, the Malaysians could extend their lead by up to 4,000 points.
More Malaysian Stars on the Rise
Malaysia Masters champions Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun also continue their climb, moving up one spot to match their career-best ranking of world No. 7. Meanwhile, Olympic bronze medalists Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik are steady at No. 3.
Several other Malaysian men’s pairs also made it into the top 32:
Wan Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King (No. 23)
Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong (No. 28)
Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (No. 32)
In the men’s singles division, Lee Zii Jia is currently at No. 13 in the real-time rankings due to his ongoing recovery from injury. However, he still holds a protected ranking of No. 9. Leong Jun Hao and Justin Hoh remain steady at No. 25 and No. 45, respectively.
Ng Tze Yong, who recently returned to action after a 14-month back injury layoff, made an impressive jump of 40 spots to re-enter the top 200. Unfortunately, his comeback was cut short after sustaining another injury during the Malaysia Masters’ opening round.
Mixed Doubles Shake-Up & Women’s Rankings
In mixed doubles, Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei have reclaimed their status as Malaysia’s top pair, overtaking Goh Soon Huat and Shevon Lai after three months. Soon Huat-Shevon’s early exit while defending their title in Kuala Lumpur saw their ranking drop from No. 3 to No. 5.
In the women’s category, Pearly Tan and M. Thinaah remain Malaysia’s top women’s doubles pair at world No. 4. Goh Jin Wei holds steady as the nation’s top-ranked women’s singles player at No. 48.
