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 Chen Long.  Hu actually would have qualified under pre-2015 rules, as he finished #9 in the Superseries standings; however, a rule introduced by the BWF 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 award in both 2014 and 2015.  Last year, he showed up to accept the award 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.