Pattaya, June 13, 2019:
Former Badminton World Number 1 and three-time Olympic silver-medallist Lee Chong Wei has announced his retirement from the sport after a battle with cancer. The silver-medallist returned to training in January, but opted to retire on doctors' advice. The badminton star had been diagnosed with nose cancer last year.
"It was a very heavy decision for me because I really love this sport," a tearful Lee said at a news conference.
The Malaysian said he "tried his very best" but his health was his priority, and thus, he has decided to hang up his sporting boots to focus on his health.
He took a break from competition in September to receive treatment, but returned to training to work towards his "dream" of achieving Malaysia's maiden gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The Commonwealth champion said that when he started playing badminton, all he wanted to do was to represent Malaysia. "And I believe I did it with pride and honour", Lee Chong Wei said.
As a singles player, Lee was ranked first worldwide for 199 consecutive weeks from 21 August 2008 to 14 June 2012
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