Chen Long withdrawal sends Hu to Dubai, says SCMP

Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post reported today that world #15 Hu Yun had been invited to the season-ending Superseries Finals in Dubai, following the withdrawal of Olympic gold medallist […]

Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post reported today that world #15 Hu Yun had been invited to the season-ending Finals in Dubai, following the withdrawal of Olympic gold medallist Chen Long.  Hu actually would have qualified under pre-2015 rules, as he finished #9 in the standings; however, a rule introduced by the last year grants a wild card to the World or Olympic champion and that put Chen, #15 in the standings, to the front of the queue.

The BWF has also nominated Chen Long for Male Player of the Year once again, despite Rio being his only title in 2016.  He won the in both 2014 and 2015.  Last year, he showed up to accept the at the gala dinner in blue jeans but if he is picked again this year, it won’t necessarily mean further embarrassment to the BWF, which levies fines on players, even if they skip the finals due to injury, unless they still make the trip to Dubai for a press conference.

Don Hearn

About Don Hearn

Don Hearn is an Editor and Correspondent who hails from a badminton-loving town in rural Canada. He joined the Badzine team in 2006 to provide coverage of the Korean badminton scene and is committed to helping Badzine to promote badminton to the place it deserves as a global sport. Contact him at: don @ badzine.net