Chong Wei Remains In Fifth Place At BWF World Ranking

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 22 (Bernama) -- Top national shuttler Lee Chong Wei remained in fifth place of the latest world ranking issued by the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Thursday. Chong Wei stood with 73,753 points, while the 2015 World Champion, China's Cheng Long topped the ranking with 96,931 points. Denmark's Jan O Jorgensen ranked second followed by Japan's Kento Momota and former world number one and Chong Wei's arch rival, Lin Dan of China. The 33-year-old Penangite, who is currently in the quest to collect valuable points at the Malaysia Masters Grand Prix Gold at the SPICE Arena, Penang from Jan 19-24, to break into the top four position before the seeding of the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in Brazil. It is to ensure an easy path in Rio by avoiding clashes with the top three in the early stages. Chong Wei, who returned to competition in May after an eight-month suspension by the BWF due to a doping offence, saw his ranking dropping from world number one to 180. He then climbed as high as third placing on Nov 26 before falling to fourth on Dec 3 and then to fifth spot on Dec 17. The former world number one is vying for the elusive gold medal in his fourth appearance at the Olympics after facing the exit in the Round of 16 at the 2004 Athens edition followed by a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London editions respectively. (photoBERNAMA) --BERNAMA