Badminton megastar Lee Chong Wei retires

Lee Chong Wei becomes identified with nostril most cancers remaining yr. Cancer-hit badminton superstar Lee Chong Wei announced his retirement on Thursday, finishing a splendid profession wherein he accumulated a swathe of honors but in no way received a world or Olympic title.

Lee, who spent a total of 348 weeks as global primary but misplaced six international and Olympic finals, wept as he called it quits months after struggling with a cancer scare. “My decision to retire is a heavy one. I surely love this sport. But it is a disturbing recreation. I thank all Malaysians for the beyond 19 years,” a tearful Lee, 36, instructed an information conference. Lee, a father of, became identified with early-degree nose most cancers final year and after intensive remedy in Taiwan, said he was eager to play once more. But he hasn’t trained, considering that April and after missing a series of self-imposed closing dates to go back to the opposition, his hopes of being eligible for the next 12 months’ Tokyo Olympics were remote.

The three-time Olympic silver medallist said he now wanted to rest and spend time together with his circle of relatives and even take his spouse on a “honeymoon,” an experience that has been not on time considering that their marriage in 2012. Lee’s unsuccessful attempts to capture Malaysia’s first-ever Olympic gold medal, accomplishing three consecutive finals, were followed avidly by his fanatics, as became his lengthy-jogging rivalry with Chinese celeb Lin Dan. His last shot on the Olympic title at Rio 2016 ended in crushing sadness when the Malaysian lost out to China’s Chen Long in a nail-biting final.

‘Sad day.’

Cancer proved the profession-ending blow, but it wasn’t the simplest low for Lee, who become banned after testing fantastic for a forbidden anti-inflammatory at the 2014 international championships. The long-time former global number one back to the sport in 2015, after government usual, he inadvertently took the drug. “I haven’t any regrets. More critical is my health; the decision to retire could be tough,” stated Lee, including that his cancer treatment changed into now over. “My plan to retire initially became after the Olympic Games. I made this selection because of my fitness. You understand I got married in 2012. But we (have) by no means long past for a honeymoon. I owe this promise (to my wife); now I have to please her.” As he started saying his retirement, Lee paused for nearly a minute as tears rolled down his cheeks. Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) president Norza Zakaria, who become at the information conference, described Lee as a “legend.“ “It is an unhappy day. Lee is a legend and reliable. We accept his selection,” Norza stated. Lee has slipped to 191 within the Badminton World scores. “I fought for my usa all the way,” he stated, at one factor, his voice choking. “It’s my retirement day.”