Nguyen Tien Minh has dropped 10 steps to 30th place in world rankings, says the Badminton World Federation. — File Photo

HA NOI  (VNS) — Nguyen Tien Minh, Viet Nam's top badminton player, has dropped 10 steps to 30th place in world rankings, according to the World Badminton Federation.

The Olympian athlete from HCM City suffered the steepest drop among the world's top 50 players with a total of only 37,730 points. Minh ranked fifth in the world during the same period last year.

The drop means that Minh will be losing funds from sponsor Becamex. Under the contract between the two sides, Minh will be receiving a monthly sum of VND50 million (US$2,400) if he places in the world's top 10, VND25 million if he ranks from 11th to 20th place and VND10 million if he ranks from 21st to 25th place.

Besides Minh, Lin Dan of China slid down as well, falling by nine spots to the 18th rank, while Hans Kristian Vittinghus of Denmark took Lin's place by rising three steps.

Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia now ranks first, followed by Chen Long of China and Jan Jorgensen of Denmark.

Minh hopes to improve his ranking in the upcoming World Badminton Championships to be held in Denmark on August 25-31. He won the bronze medal at the same event last year. —VNS