KUALA LUMPUR: World champions Chen Tang Jie–Toh Ee Wei are among four Malaysian pairs in the running for the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Pair of the Year Awards in their respective events.
Tang Jie–Ee Wei, who won the mixed doubles world crown in Paris in August, are in contention with China‘s Jiang Zhen Bang–Wei Ya Xin and Feng Yan Zhe–Huang Dong Ping, as well as Thailand’s world No. 4 Dechapol Puavaranukroh–Supissara Paewsampran.
The other Malaysians nominated for the BWF awards, to be announced during the world body’s gala dinner in Hangzhou, China, on Dec 15, are world No. 2 Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik, world No. 4 Goh Sze Fei–Nur Izzuddin Rumsani and world No. 2 Pearly Tan–M. Thinaah (women’s doubles).
South Korean world No. 1 Kim Won Ho–Seo Seung Jae are the favourites to sweep the men’s doubles award after winning 10 titles this season.
Pearly–Thinaah will face a stiff challenge from China‘s world No. 1 Liu Sheng Shu–Tan Ning.
Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei is the only Malaysian to have won the Player of the Year award and holds the record for the most wins with five (2009, 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2016).
China’s world No. 1 Shi Yu Qi is the frontrunner in the men’s singles, while An Se Yong of South Korea is set to bag the women’s singles award for a record third consecutive year.
The 2025 marquee winners will be determined through a combined scoring system which includes two components — the world ranking points accumulated over a 52-week eligibility period and the voting points awarded by a five-member panel after BWF’s designated tournaments.
The designated tournaments are the 2024 World Tour Finals, the 2025 World Championships, and all World Tour Super 1000 and Super 750 events.
Meanwhile two-time Paralympic champion Cheah Liek Hou has also been nominated for the World Male Para Player of the Year award in the singles, and with doubles partner Fareez Anuar for the Para Pair of the Year honour.
BWF PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES (Malaysians unless stated) –
Men’s singles: Shi Yu Qi (Chn), Anders Antonsen (Den), Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Tha), Chou Tien Chen (Tai);
Men’s doubles: Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae (Kor), Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen (Den);
Women’s singles: An Se Young (Kor), Akane Yamaguchi (Jpn), Chen Yu Fei (Chn), Wang Zhi Yi (Chn);
Women’s doubles: Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning (Chn), Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, Kim Hye Jeong-Kong Hee Yong (Kor), Baek Ha Na-Lee So Hee (Kor);
Mixed doubles: Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Pewsampran (Tha), Jiang Zhen Bang-Wei Ya Xin (Chn), Feng Yan Zhe-Huang Dong Ping (Chn).
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
