PETALING JAYA: It is double joy for mixed doubles pair Chen Tang Jie and Toh Ee Wei as their world title triumph in Paris has also secured them an automatic berth in the season-ending World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China from December 17–21.
The year-end showdown is one of the most prestigious events on the calendar, with only the top eight players or pairs from each discipline qualifying.
However, under Badminton World Federation (BWF) rules, the reigning world champions in every category are assured a spot in the Finals regardless of their ranking.
If they fall outside the top eight, their inclusion comes at the expense of the lowest-ranked qualifier.
Tang Jie-Ee Wei are currently ranked third in the World Tour Finals standings with 59,610 points, but they can now relax knowing their place in Hangzhou is sealed as world champions.
Last year, the duo also reached the Finals and made it to the championship match before losing to China’s Zheng Siwei and Huang Yaqiong.
Other players still have time to book their spots for Hangzhou, with the qualifying deadline set for November.
The official invitations will be issued by the BWF on November 25.
