Malaysia is celebrating a proud sporting milestone as Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani rise to the summit of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) men’s doubles rankings, officially becoming the world’s top pair.
In the latest rankings released on 27 May, the independent duo overtook Denmark’s Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, who dropped points after failing to defend their Malaysia Masters title. The Danes were stopped in the semi-finals by fellow Malaysians, Aaron Chia and Soh Wooi Yik.
Photo via Utusan Malaysia
Although Sze Fei and Izzuddin bowed out in the quarter-finals to compatriots Man Wei Chong and Tee Kai Wun, their consistent performances over the past year ensured they edged into the top spot. Their impressive 2024 run includes championship victories at the Japan Open, China Open, and Arctic Open, as well as runner-up finishes at the BWF World Tour Finals and the Asian Championships. They also lifted the Indian Open title earlier in January.
The pair’s next challenge lies at the Singapore Open, which kicks off on 28 May. They are set to face Taiwan’s Lee Fang Chih and Lee Fang Jen in the opening round.
This historic achievement marks the first time a Malaysian men’s doubles pair has reached the World No. 1 position since Goh V Shem and Tan Wee Kiong in 2016. With this, Sze Fei and Izzuddin join an elite list of Malaysian legends who once led the world rankings, including Razif Sidek and Jalani Sidek, Cheah Soon Kit and Yap Kim Hock, and Koo Kien Keat and Tan Boon Heong.
Malaysia now boasts strong representation in the world’s top 10, with Chia-Wooi Yik ranked third and Wei Chong-Kai Wun rising to seventh following their recent Malaysia Masters triumph.
Here’s a look back at Malaysia’s previous men’s doubles World No. 1 pairs:
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1990 – Razif Sidek & Jalani Sidek
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1992 – Cheah Soon Kit & Soo Beng Kiang
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1996 – Cheah Soon Kit & Yap Kim Hock
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2002 – Chan Chong Ming & Chew Choon Eng
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2004 – Chong Tan Fook & Lee Wan Wah
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2007 – Koo Kien Keat & Tan Boon Heong
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2016 – Goh V Shem & Tan Wee Kiong
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2025 – Goh Sze Fei & Nur Izzuddin Rumsani
With their current momentum and unwavering determination, Sze Fei and Izzuddin are not only writing their names into the history books but also setting the pace for the next generation of Malaysian badminton greats.
