Lee set to lose top badminton ranking

Suspended Malaysian’s spot to be taken by China’s Chen

KUALA LUMPUR: Lee Chong Wei's indefinite suspension for a doping violation will cost the Malaysian his top ranking with Chinese world champion Chen Long set to take over on Wednesday after his World Superseries Finals triumph in Dubai.

The Badminton World Federation (BWF) provisionally suspended Lee last month after the shuttler tested positive for the illegal anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone at the World Championships in August.

Lee remains confident he can clear his name when the BWF panel conducts a hearing into the case next year. Chen, currently ranked second, has made full use of Lee's absence and collected valuable points by winning the Denmark Open in October and the Superseries Finals on Sunday, when he defeated Dane Hans-Kristian Vittinghus.

The 32-year-old Lee had held the number one ranking for the last six years barring a few weeks when Chinese Olympic champion Lin Dan became the top-ranked player in 2012.

 

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