Cover image via Independent men's doubles shuttlers, Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, have officially climbed to the top of the world rankings, becoming the new World No. 1 in men's doubles badminton!
In the latest Badminton World Federation (BWF) rankings today, 27 May, the Malaysian pair rose one spot to overtake Denmark's Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen after they failed to defend their title at the Malaysia Masters last week.
Astrup-Rasmussen lost to Malaysians Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik in the semi-finals of the Malaysia Masters on Saturday, 24 May.
Although Sze Fei-Izzuddin lost in the quarter-finals to another Malaysian pair, Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, they still managed to edge ahead in rankings due to their fine form since last year.
Image via Aswadi Alias/New Straits Times
The pair captured titles at the Japan Open, China Open, and Arctic Open in 2024, and were runners-up at both the BWF World Tour Finals and the Asian Championships
Sze Fei-Izzuddin also just won the Indian Open in January.
The pair will next compete at the Singapore Open, starting tomorrow, 28 May, where they'll face Taiwanese duo Lee Fang Chih-Lee Fang Jen in the opening round.
Sze Fei-Izzuddin claimed the India Open men's doubles crown in New Delhi in January.
Image via AFP/New Straits Times
This achievement makes Sze Fei-Izzuddin the first Malaysian men's doubles pair to reach World No. 1 since Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong in 2016
They now join the ranks of former legends such as Razif Sidek-Jalani Sidek, Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong, and Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim Hock.
Meanwhile, two other Malaysian men's doubles pairs are also in the world's top 10.
Aaron-Wooi Yik are in third place, while Wei Chong-Kai Wun climbed one spot to seventh after winning the 2025 Malaysia Masters title recently.
Image via Badminton World Federation
Here are all the other Malaysian men's doubles pairs who have previously been World No. 1:
1990 – Razif Sidek-Jalani Sidek
1992 – Cheah Soon Kit-Soo Beng Kiang
1996 – Cheah Soon Kit-Yap Kim Hock
2002 – Chan Chong Ming-Chew Choon Eng
2004 – Chong Tan Fook-Lee Wan Wah
2007 – Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong
2016 – Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong
2025 – Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani
