PETALING JAYA – Lee Chong Wei rules again! The country’s favourite badminton star has clinched a major title in the Ten Outstanding Young Malaysians Awards at the TOYM presentation here on Saturday night.

The  World No 1 player was named the top personality in the Personal Improvement and Accomplishment category of the award.

Thr 27-year-old, who beat out two insurance sales people and another badminton celebrity, Wong Pei Tty, who is part of the World No 1 women’s badminton doubles, said he postponed a trip to the Nov 11 Hong Kong Open to attend the TOYM awards ceremony.

“I am very excited about this. I did not expect to win,” he said.

Recognising young achievers

He was one of the recipients of the TOYM programme which recognises  young Malaysians aged 18 to 40 with noteworthy contributions to fields as diverse as business, politics, cultural achievement, religious leadership and scientific development.

Founder and CEO of Masterskill Education Group Edmund Santhara received the award for the Business, Economic and Entre­preneurial Accomplishment category.

Taylor’s College director of research and development Dr Vikneswaran Nair was chosenfor the Academic Leadership and Accomplishment category.

For the Cultural Achievement and the Moral/Religious Leadership categories, Conservatoire Royal de Musique de Bruzelles (Belgium) master composer Chong Kee Yong and Young Buddhist Association of Malaysia president Dr Ong See Yew won respectively.

Champion for disabled persons accessibility Murugeswaran Veerasamy was given the award for the Humanitarian and Voluntary Service category.

Michelle was world winner

The TOYM, originating from the Ten Out­standing Young Persons of the World programme, was the 24th held in Malaysia since it was introduced here in 1985.

The coveted world award has so far been won by just seven Malaysians, with international actress Michelle Yeoh being the last Malaysian to receive it back in 2003.