Malaysia's badminton player Lee Chong Wei (R) reacts during a news conference to announce his retirement in Putrajaya, Malaysia, June 13, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua]

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia — Former World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei has announced his retirement from badminton after 19 years following a battle with cancer.

The three-time Olympic silver medalist, hailed as a sporting hero in Malaysia, says it was a tough decision as he had planned to quit after the Tokyo Olympics next year but that he had no choice.

Lee, 36, said Thursday a recent consultation with doctors in Japan showed he wasn't fit for high-intensity training. He broke down momentarily during a news conference.

Lee became one of Malaysia's richest athletes after an illustrious career that included the Olympic medals and 69 world titles that has made him a much-loved sporting icon. He was diagnosed with nose cancer last year but recovered after intensive treatment.

Agencies

Malaysia's badminton player Lee Chong Wei (C) takes a selfie after a news conference to announce his retirement in Putrajaya, Malaysia, June 13, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua]

Malaysia's badminton player Lee Chong Wei (R) attends a news conference to announce his retirement in Putrajaya, Malaysia, June 13, 2019. [Photo/IC]

China's Lin Dan, right, poses with Chen Long and special guest Lee Chong Wei, center, from Malaysia for a picture during the awards ceremony for the men's single final match at the Malaysia Badminton Open in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 7, 2019. [Photo/Xinhua]

Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia and Lin Dan (R) of China greet each other after their men's singles quarterfinal at All England Open Badminton Championships 2018 in Birmingham, Britain on March 16, 2018. Lin Dan won 2-0 and advanced to the semifinal. [Photo/Xinhua]

(From left) Runner-up Chen Long of China, winner Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia and second runners-up Tian Houwei and Lin Dan of China pose for a selfie at the award ceremony for the men's singles during the 2016 Badminton Asia Championships in Wuhan city, Central China's Hubei province, May 1, 2016. [Photo/IC]

Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia hugs Lin Dan of China after winning the badminton men's singles semifinal during the Rio 2016 Olympics, August 19, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]

Gold medalist Lin Dan (C) of China on the podium with silver medalist Lee Chong Wei (L) of Mayalasia and bronze medalist Chen Long (R) of China during the medal awards ceremony for the Men's Singles Badminton at the London 2012 Olympics, August 5, 2012. [Photo/IC]

Gold medalist Lin Dan (C) of China on the podium with silver medalist Lee Chong Wei (L) of Mayalasia and bronze medalist Chen Jin (R) of China during the medal awards ceremony for the Men's Singles Badminton, at the Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium, at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, August 17, 2008. [Photo/IC]