KUALA LUMPUR: Hoo Pang Ron-Lai Pei Jing’s remarkable resurgence continued as the independent mixed doubles pair climbed to a career-high world No. 15 in the latest Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings released on Tuesday.
The Malaysians jumped nine places from No. 24 following their semi-final appearance at last week’s Hylo Open in Germany, extending an astonishing rise from world No. 460 when they began their partnership in May.
Even more impressively, Pang Ron-Pei Jing were ranked just No. 85 on Sept 1, meaning they have surged 70 places in barely two months.
Their latest breakthrough puts them within touching distance of becoming Malaysia’s highest-ranked mixed doubles combination, with Goh Soon Huat-Shevon Lai remaining at No. 11.
Pang Ron-Pei Jing’s rapid progress has been fuelled by a string of impressive performances, including runners-up finishes at the China Masters and French Open, besides semi-final appearances at the Denmark Open and Hylo Open.
Their only early exit in the last five tournaments came at the Arctic Open in Finland.
The pair’s consistency has been particularly encouraging, having pushed France’s reigning world champions Thom Gicquel-Delphine Delrue to three games before losing in the Hylo Open semi-finals on Saturday.
With Soon Huat-Shevon struggling to make a significant impact in recent tournaments, Pang Ron-Pei Jing have a genuine opportunity to overtake their compatriots if they maintain their momentum.
Former world champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei, meanwhile, slipped one place to No. 20 as uncertainty remains over Ee Wei’s competitive return following injury.
In men’s doubles, another rapidly emerging partnership, Aaron Tai-Yap Roy King, enjoyed a spectacular 19-place jump to world No. 55 following their Hylo Open semi-final finish.
The pair have climbed an impressive 61 places in just three weeks, having been ranked No. 116 on Oct 13.
Since joining forces, Aaron-Roy King have captured the Arctic Open title and reached the Hylo Open semi-finals, further vindicating national men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi’s decision to retain them as a permanent partnership with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in mind.
Malaysia’s leading men’s doubles combinations Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani remained at world No. 4 and No. 5 respectively, while French Open champions Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun slipped one spot to No. 9.
In men’s singles, Lee Zii Jia gained some consolation from his Hylo Open second-round exit by climbing two places to world No. 40.
The former All England champion is now just eight places behind Malaysia’s highest-ranked men’s singles player Leong Jun Hao, who remained at No. 32.
Justin Hoh stayed at No. 46, while Cheam June Wei improved one spot to No. 56.
In women’s doubles, Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah retained their world No. 4 position, while Ong Xin Yee-Carmen Ting climbed one place to No. 26.
There was little movement in women’s singles, with K. Letshanaa and Wong Ling Ching each slipping one spot to world No. 28 and No. 41 respectively.