KUALA LUMPUR: Former world number one Datuk Lee Chong Wei, who is awaiting a doping hearing, has dropped to 16th spot in the new world ranking released by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) today.
The 31-year old Chong Wei had topped the list in Dec last year with 84,631 points after securing 10,200 points from his second place in the 2014 BWF World Championship in Copenhagen, Denmark from Aug 25 to 31.
Chong Wei, who is currently serving a suspension for a doping violation, could face a ban of up to two years if found guilty, which would eventually end his carrier as he has already announced his retirement after the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics in Brazil.
Chong Wei’s absence from the All England, Indian Open and the significant Malaysian Open had without a doubt resulted in the drop.
Other Malaysian shuttlers failed to replace the vacuum left by Chong Wei when national number two, Chong Wei Feng just settled in 44th spot with 29,139 points while Zulfadli Zulkiffli is ranked 48th with 27,920 points.
Chen Long of China tops the list with 77,961 points followed by Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark (72,993 points) and Lin Dan of China (70,500).--BERNAMA