ants
02-29-2004, 12:00 AM
PETALING JAYA: National doubles singles chief coach Misbun Sidek has withdrawn Lee Chong Wei from the Swiss Open and All-England due to a leg injury. And it may turn out to be a big blow to the youngster's aspiration to qualify for the Athens Olympic Games.
The 22-year-old Chong Wei had spoken of a slight leg injury after the Thomas Cup Asian Zone qualifying tournament final against China on Sunday. And Misbun had wanted to wait and see his progress during training.
When Chong Wei declined to take part in a 40-minute jogging session yesterday morning due to pain in his leg, Misbun called him hours before the team left for Basel and told him that it was best that he stayed home.
The Swiss Open starts on Wednesday. It will be then followed by the prestigious All-England from March 9-14 in Birmingham.
I was informed today (yesterday) that I should stay back and recover completely. I will immediately get treatment from the doctor, said Chong Wei, who will resume his chase for a place in the Olympic Games in the Korean Open (March 30-April 4), Japan Open (April 6-11) and the Asian Badminton Championships (April 20-24).
Chong Wei is currently the second best Malaysian in the world rankings, placed at 11th spot. Wong Choong Hann is in fourth position followed by the Hashim brothers - Roslin (17th) and Hafiz (32nd) and Lee Tsuen Seng (34th).
By skipping both the Grand Prix in Europe, Chong Wei is set to slide down the world rankings, something that could hurt his Olympics aspirations.
Only the top 16 players by end of April 30 are assured of their places for the Athens Games.
Chong Wei was playing it cool despite being booted out in the last minute.
I wanted to go for these tournaments badly. And I suppressed the pain during training. But I guess the coach saw that I was struggling, he said.
He feels like I may aggravate my injury. The weather there will be cold and too many hard landings may force me to stay out from tournaments for a very long time.
It is better that I stay put here and get ready for the last three tournaments before the qualifying period for the Athens Olympic Games end. I respect Misbun's decision, he added.
With Chong Wei out, Malaysia's representatives in the men's singles event for the Grand Prix in Europe are Choong Hann, Roslin, Hafiz, Tsuen Seng and Kuan Beng Hong.
The 22-year-old Chong Wei had spoken of a slight leg injury after the Thomas Cup Asian Zone qualifying tournament final against China on Sunday. And Misbun had wanted to wait and see his progress during training.
When Chong Wei declined to take part in a 40-minute jogging session yesterday morning due to pain in his leg, Misbun called him hours before the team left for Basel and told him that it was best that he stayed home.
The Swiss Open starts on Wednesday. It will be then followed by the prestigious All-England from March 9-14 in Birmingham.
I was informed today (yesterday) that I should stay back and recover completely. I will immediately get treatment from the doctor, said Chong Wei, who will resume his chase for a place in the Olympic Games in the Korean Open (March 30-April 4), Japan Open (April 6-11) and the Asian Badminton Championships (April 20-24).
Chong Wei is currently the second best Malaysian in the world rankings, placed at 11th spot. Wong Choong Hann is in fourth position followed by the Hashim brothers - Roslin (17th) and Hafiz (32nd) and Lee Tsuen Seng (34th).
By skipping both the Grand Prix in Europe, Chong Wei is set to slide down the world rankings, something that could hurt his Olympics aspirations.
Only the top 16 players by end of April 30 are assured of their places for the Athens Games.
Chong Wei was playing it cool despite being booted out in the last minute.
I wanted to go for these tournaments badly. And I suppressed the pain during training. But I guess the coach saw that I was struggling, he said.
He feels like I may aggravate my injury. The weather there will be cold and too many hard landings may force me to stay out from tournaments for a very long time.
It is better that I stay put here and get ready for the last three tournaments before the qualifying period for the Athens Olympic Games end. I respect Misbun's decision, he added.
With Chong Wei out, Malaysia's representatives in the men's singles event for the Grand Prix in Europe are Choong Hann, Roslin, Hafiz, Tsuen Seng and Kuan Beng Hong.