Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian badminton maestro Lee Chong Wei became the first Malaysian men’s singles shuttler to make an unprecedented fourth trip to the Olympics in August, when Badminton World Federation (BWF) released its final list of qualifiers on Thursday.
Based on the latest BWF rankings, Lee Chong Wei who maintained his World No. 2 ranking in the men’s singles category, will go to Rio together with seven other Malaysian shuttlers including Tan Wee Kiong/Goh V Shem (men’s doubles, World No. 14), Tee Jing Yi (women’s singles, World No. 29), Vivian Hoo/Woon Khe Wei (women’s doubles, World No. 21), and Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying (mixed doubles, World No. 10).
Lee Chong Wei who had said he will make a last-ditch attempt to win the elusive Olympic gold at the Rio de Janeiro Games in 2016, is expected to face some stiff competitions from two top Chinese players, namely World No. 1 Chen Long and World No. 3 Lin Dan.
Both Chen as well as Lin Dan, who defeated the Malaysian in the past two Olympic men’s singles finals, will be the biggest opponents in Lee’s pursuit of the Olympic gold medal.
Besides Lee Chong Wei, Tee Jing Yi and Chan Peng Soon/ Goh Liu Ying who earned their debut appearances in the London four years ago, Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong, and Vivian Hoo/Woon Khe Wei will be making their Olympic debut in Rio.
