As of February 4, 2025, the Malaysian men’s doubles badminton pair, Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin, have ascended to the world number two ranking with a total of 91,876 points. They trail only behind Denmark’s duo, Kim Astrup and Anders Skaarup Rasmussen, who lead with 94,903 points.
Goh and Nur began the year 2025 ranked third globally. Their recent performance at the 2025 Malaysia Open has propelled them to the second spot by the third week of January 2025, a position they have maintained into the sixth week of the year.
A significant contributor to their rise was their stellar performance at the 2025 India Open 2025, held from January 14 to 19 in New Delhi. The duo clinched the men’s doubles title, marking Malaysia’s first championship at the India Open since 2014. In the final, they faced South Korea’s Kim Won Ho and Seo Seung Jae, securing a hard-fought victory with scores of 21-15, 13-21, 21-16.
Their journey to the title was marked by impressive victories over formidable opponents. In the semi-finals, they defeated India’s top pair, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, with a straight-sets win of 21-18, 21-14. This victory was particularly noteworthy as Rankireddy and Shetty were the 2022 Asian Games champions and had the advantage of playing on home soil.
Prior to their triumph in India, Goh and Nur faced challenges at the 2025 Malaysia Open, which took place from January 7 to 12. They were eliminated in the first round after a closely contested match against Danish pair of Daniel Lundgaard and Mads Vestergaard, ending with scores of 15-21, 21-9, 18-21.
Their ascent in the rankings is a testament to their resilience and dedication. The Badminton World Federation’s ranking system, which evaluates players based on their performance in sanctioned tournaments, reflects their consistent excellence on the court.
Looking ahead, Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzuddin aim to maintain their momentum and challenge for the top spot in the world rankings. Their recent performances have not only elevated their standing but have also instilled confidence in their ability to compete against the world’s best.
For fans interested in witnessing their championship performance, highlights of the 2025 India Open men’s doubles final are available: