Malaysian doubles pairs hit historic highs in year-end world rankings

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian shuttlers are set to close the year with one of their strongest year-ending ranking positions in recent memory, with the nation represented by at least one pair inside the world's top four across three disciplines in the latest BWF world rankings.

Leading the charge are Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, who both retained their world No. 2 positions in the men's doubles and women's doubles respectively.

According to the latest rankings released on Tuesday, world champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei are the other Malaysian pair flying high, remaining unchanged at world No. 4 in the mixed doubles.

The standings at the top are not expected to shift when the final rankings of the 2025 season are released next week, with only the low-tier Bangladesh International Series taking place this week.

Taken together, the latest positions reflect a clear year-on-year improvement across Malaysia's doubles departments.

In the 2024 final rankings, Malaysia had only one representative inside the top four — Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, who ended the year at world No. 3.

This year, however, the picture is far brighter.

Malaysia could have boasted four pairs inside the world's top four had Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun avoided a disappointing debut at the World Tour Finals, where the duo slipped one rung to No. 5 in the men's doubles standings.

The men's doubles department once again stands out as the best-performing unit, even taking a step forward compared to last year, with three pairs in the world's top 10 and a total of eight inside the top 40.

Sze Fei-Izzuddin are the next highest-ranked men's pair at world No. 7, followed by Wan Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King (No. 17), Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong (No. 28), Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (No. 29), Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri (No. 33) and Aaron Tai-Kang Khai Xing (No. 36).

Last year's world junior champions Aaron-Khai Xing have emerged as the most improved Malaysian men's pair, surging from a year-ending world No. 59 in 2024.

The women's doubles department has also shown clear signs of improved depth.

Go Pei Kee-Teoh Mei Xing made a strong climb to world No. 22, up from No. 73 at the end of last year.

Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting also enjoyed a significant leap, rising from No. 125 in 2024 to No. 26 this year.

Mixed doubles have remained relatively stable at the top while showing contrasting trends within the supporting cast.

Veterans Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai stayed firmly inside the top 10 at world No. 9.

However, Hoo Pang Ron-Cheng Su Yin appear to have stalled, hovering around the same region at world No. 21 after ending last year at No. 20.

In contrast, Jimmy Wong-Lai Pei Jing have made a rapid climb into the world's top 32 elite bracket, surging to No. 26 after teaming up in April following the latter's long-standing partnership split with Tan Kian Meng in March.

The same upward trend, however, has not extended to the singles departments, where Malaysia's year-ending rankings present a more sobering assessment.

In men's singles, Leong Jun Hao finished the year as the highest-ranked Malaysian at world No. 28, narrowly ahead of Justin Hoh, who climbed to No. 39 from No. 53 last year.

The biggest talking point remains Lee Zii Jia, whose ranking plunged to No. 144 after spending most of the year sidelined by injury.

He ended last year at No. 6.

In women's singles, movement was modest, though there were signs of quiet progress.

K. Letshanaa and Wong Ling Ching ended the year ranked No. 43 and No. 44 respectively, with the latter enjoying the most notable rise after improving sharply from No. 96 in 2024.