Legends: Lee Chong Wei (left) and China’s Lin Dan had dominated the men’s singles for two decades until their retirements in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
PETALING JAYA: Former men’s singles great Datuk Lee Chong Wei has been elected into the Badminton Hall of Fame along with China’s Lin Dan.
The duo will be inducted at a ceremony on May 26 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC).
Chong Wei will become the first Malaysian since Wong Peng Soon in 1999 to be inducted.
Other Malaysians who had been inducted were Eddy Choong (1997), David Choong, Ng Boon Bee, Ong Poh Lim and Tan Yee Khan (1998).
Chong Wei and Lin Dan had dominated the men’s singles for two decades until their retirements in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
Between them, they contested a total of five Olympics and 10 World Championships finals.
Both also set several records during the course of their long careers.
Chong Wei finished with 47 World Tour titles and was ranked world No. 1 for 349 weeks.
Meanwhile, Lin Dan captured two Olympics gold medals and five world titles.
Badminton World Federation (BWF) president Paul-Erik Hoyer hailed both Chong Wei and Lin Dan for their impact on the sport.
“Lee Chong Wei and Lin Dan were among the foremost ambassadors of badminton over a major part of the last two decades,” said Hoyer.
“With their outstanding performances, they drew whole generations of fans to the sport.
“They both richly deserve to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.”
