Lee Chong Wei announces retirement from international events

Lee Chong Wei has decided to hang his boots after a prolific international badminton career for Malaysia. Chong Wei, who remained as the World no. 1 for 348 weeks in his international career was hit by cancer which also affected his playing career. Despite his great badminton career, he had never won a single world or Olympics gold in his 19-year career.

“My decision to retire is a heavy one. I really love this sport. But it is a demanding sport. I thank all Malaysians for the past 19 years,” Chong Wei said during a press conference, as reported by Scroll. 

He was diagnosed with nose cancer in 2018 and went for a treatment in Taiwan. The former world no. 1 had earlier expressed his interest in returning to the court. 

“I have no regrets. More important is my health, the decision to retire is very tough. My plan to retire was originally after the Olympic Games. I made this decision due to my health,” explained the former world no. 1.

The Malaysian star had won silver medals in the men’s singles events at Beijing, London and Rio Olympics successively while was runners-up in World Championships in 2011, 2013 and 2015 editions. He had also finished third in the 2005 edition of the global event. He does, however, hold the record for the most number of Superseries titles with 46 in one the greatest careers the sport has ever seen.