New Delhi: Numero uno shuttler Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia has been rewarded for his string of wins as he won the prestigious Badminton World Federation’s (BWF) Male Player of the Year award at its annual Gala Awards Dinner here.
The two-time Olympic silver medallist led his team into the Thomas Cup final after beating Indonesia’s Tommy Sugiarto to hand his country a vital 1-0 lead. That was soon converted into a 3-0 victory at the Siri Fort Sports Complex here on Friday.
The 31-year-old, who won seven Super Series titles last year, faced competition from China’s legend Lin Dan and Chen Long, Indonesian duo Mohammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan and Ko Sung Hyun and Lee Yong Dae of South Korea to win the prestigious award.
In the women’s section, Chinese singles player and world number one Li Xuerui won won the Female Player of the Year award after retaining the 2013 Super Series Final crown she won in 2012.
She finished runners-up to Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon at the World Championships but won the Super Series Premier events – Indonesia Open and China Open.
Xuerui beat Intanon as well as compatriots Yihan Wang and women’s doubles world champions Wang Xiaoli and Yu Yang for the award.
Japan’s Akane Yamaguchi won the Promising Player of the Year award. (PTI)