SINGAPORE, Nov 9 — Datuk Lee Chong Wei has dominated the world rankings without ever capturing one of badminton’s biggest prizes and now the Malaysian’s hopes of a last shot at glory appear likely to have ended in an Oslo laboratory.

The 32-year-old Lee has spent almost 300 weeks ranked number one in the world but after losing the last two Olympic and three world championship finals he will no longer have a chance to cap his stellar career with a “dream” Rio gold in 2016.

Lee’s 55 global titles have made him Malaysia’s leading sportsman but his legacy of a perfect role model and father will now surely be tarnished after traces of the banned anti-inflammatory drug dexamethasone were discovered in his system during the August world championships in Denmark.

After a follow-up test in Norway this week, witnessed by the player and Malaysian badminton officials, confirmed the positive test, the likely two-year ban represents a sad way for Lee to end his affiliation with a sport he did so much to promote.

Although Malaysian authorities may discover that the drug was taken inadvertently as part of medical treatment, Lee, who received stem cell injections in July for a thigh injury, will still be expected to serve the full two-year term.

Born in the small town of Bagan Serai in northern Peninsula Malaysia, Lee’s first love was basketball but his family pushed him to take up badminton and his supreme footwork and defensive skills had earned a call up to the national squad at 17.

He won his first major title in 2003 on home soil and as he added more deceptive shots to his repertoire, the tournament wins continued to flow and he claimed the number one ranking for the first time in 2006.

LIN RIVALRY

Often reluctant to take risks, Lee’s retrieving ability, incredible reflexes and agility made him almost impossible to beat for most players but he lacked a killer punch against the very best, particularly arch rival and nemesis Lin Dan.

While the pair would claim a similar number of victories at national opens around the globe over the next eight years, China’s Lin, who is a year younger than Lee, could always find that little extra when they met on the grandest of stages.

They first crossed swords in an Olympic final in Beijing six years ago with Lin storming away in the second game to claim a victory he would repeat inLondon in 2012, although Lee let slip an 18-16 lead in the decider of a classic encounter.

Lee was also foiled by the same opponent over three tight sets in the 2011 and 2013 world championship finals and when the Malaysian reached a third title showdown earlier this year in Lin’s absence, Chinese second seed Chen Long emerged victorious.

Nearing the end of their glittering careers, both Lee and Lin put off retirement to target one last Olympics with the Malaysian hoping to end on the high of a first gold with Lin targeting an unprecedented third straight title.

Sadly, the prospect of witnessing the rivals battling it out like a pair of aging prize-fighters for one final grudge match is no longer a possibility after Lee’s positive test.

His previous achievements will guarantee the Malaysian a prestigious place in badminton’s history books, but the cause of his premature retirement will always be indicated by an unwelcome asterisk.

FACTBOX

Born on Oct 21, 1982 in Bagan Serai, Perak, Lee was a 10-year-old student when he started playing badminton.

Lee grew up admiring former world number one Sun Jun of China.

He made his international debut at the 2000 Asian Junior Championships.

Lee has been a member of Malaysia’s national team since 1999.

HONOURS

Lee won silver medals at 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics—going down to Lin Dan in both finals.

His two silver medals make him the most successful Malaysian in Olympic history.

He was conferred the title “Dato” after his silver medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It also earned him a lifetime monthly pension.

He has won three silver medals and a bronze at the world championships.

Lee was part of the silver medal winning Malaysian team at the 2014 Thomas Cup.

He won the silver at the 2010 Asian Games.

Lee is a four-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist - two each in singles and men’s team events.

Lee, who won 55 titles, was named the BWF Player of the Year awards four times—in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013.

Lee has a 552-108 win-loss ratio.

The Malaysian trails 9-22 in head-to-head with his great rival, China’s Lin Dan.

PERSONAL

He speaks English, Chinese and Malay.

Lee married former team mate Wong Mew Choo in 2012 and they have a son.

His autobiography Dare To Be A Champion was released in 2012.

Lee’s ultimate sporting ambition was to win the Olympic gold medal.

He said in April he intended to play on until the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. — Reuters