Cancer-hit Malaysian Badminton star Lee Chong Wei announces his retirement

Cancer-hit Malaysian Badminton star Lee Chong Wei announced his retirement today, ending a career in which he bagged a swathe of honours but could not win a World or Olympic title.

Lee, who spent a total of 348 weeks as world number one but lost six worlds and Olympic Finals, called it quits at a news conference at Putrajaya in Malaysia. The teary-eyed 36-year old thank all Malaysians for the



past 19 years.

Lee was diagnosed with early-stage nose cancer last year and after intensive treatment in Taiwan, said he was keen to play again. But, he hasn't trained since April and after missing a series of self-made deadlines to return, his hopes of being eligible for next year's Tokyo Olympics were remote.

Lee said he now wanted to rest and spend time with his family.