China superstar Lin Dan has leapfrogged 188 rungs in the world ranking to break into the top 100 again following his impressive fifth world title on Sunday.

Based on the Badminton World Federation (BWF) world ranking list released Thursday, the former world No. 1 is now in 98th spot, after sliding down to 286th just before the world meet in Guangzhou.

Last Sunday, Lin Dan, who received a wild card from the world body to compete in the World Championships after missing from international tournaments for almost a year, defeated world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei for his fifth world crown.

Chong Wei is still the world No. 1, a position he has held since 2008.

Malaysia’s Chong Wei Feng and Liew Daren, who reached the third round of the world meet, are in 13th and 17th positions respectively.

Malaysia’s top pair of Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong dropped two rungs to No. 4 in the world after their quarter-final loss in the world meet. They are expected to slide further down as the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) are set to either drop them or split them up.

Three other pairs – Hoon Thien How-Tan Wee Kiong, Lim Khim Wah-Goh V Shem and Mohd Fairuzizuan Mohd Tazari-Mohd Zakry Abdul Latif – stayed inside the top 20 by taking the 12th, 16th and 20th positions respectively.

Malaysia’s top mixed doubles pair of Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying maintained their grip on the No. 5 spot despite losing in the second round at the world meet.

Thailand’s teen sensation and reigning world champion Ratchanok Intanon is just a step away from realising her dream of becoming the world No. 1 woman shuttler.

The Thai, who is the youngest player to win the world title in the singles event, moved one rung to No. 2, just one spot below China’s reigning Olympic champion Li Xuerui, whom she defeated in the final.

– THE STAR