SERIOUS: Chong Wei suffers major Thomas Cup-Olympics setback after tearing tendon
MALAYSIA'S over dependence on Lee Chong Wei blew up big time in the Thomas Cup yesterday but of a bigger concern now must surely be the Olympics.
With just two months to go before the London Games, the million dollar question is how serious is the injury.
There is also the psychological aspect to worry about, with yesterday's injury coming so soon after the shoulder problem he suffered in the All England in March.
Chong Wei suffered the injury while attempting to retrieve a shot from the baseline while leading 2-1 against Peter Gade Christensen in the crucial Group C match against Denmark.
Chong Wei, who was subsequently forced to concede a walkover, was grimacing in pain. He was in tears when taken to the local hospital in Wuhan for an MRI scan and further tests.
Malaysia team manager Datu Sayed Abu Bakar Abdullah said the doctors diagnosed the injury as a torn tendon and Chong Wei will fly home today for further tests and treatment.
National singles chief coach Rashid Sidek remains hopeful that Chong Wei's injury is not serious and that he will recover for the Olympics.
"Chong Wei's injury looks bad and he is out of this tournament. Now, if possible, he must recover and prepare for the Olympics. I only hope there is no ligament tear as that will mean a longer recovery period," said Rashid.
"The Olympics is two months away and this kind of injury will normally take two to three weeks to heal."
Rashid added: "There will be questions asked on why he was included in the Thomas Cup if his target is the Olympics. But this event is part of his preparation.
"What happened was something beyond anyone's control and unexpected.
"It is still too early to say how serious the injury is but we hope he will be back soon to focus on his Olympic goal."
Christensen, 35, visibly upset to see Chong Wei suffer a rare injury, was unhappy to win in such a manner.
"This is not the way I wanted to win the match. I really feel sorry for Chong Wei and hope he will make a speedy recovery and play in the Olympics," said Christensen.
"I know what will be going through his mind at this stage especially with the Olympics so close.
"It was so strange. I didn't expect him to play that shot and he went down heavily on his foot. It is a big loss for Malaysia and it is going to be tough for them in the quarter-finals."
Chong Wei had just recovered from a shoulder injury which he suffered during the All England and it remains to be seen if he can regain his form if he is able to play in the Olympics.
His arch rival Lin Dan is in fiery form and Chong Wei can only match China's top player if he is in prime condition.
Not only is his gold medal hopes in jeopardy but also any chance of winning a medal as China will be going all out to frustrate what could be Chong Wei's last appearance in an Olympics.
Wong Choong Hann was out for six months when he ruptured his Achilles tendon during the 2006 Thomas Cup in Japan and one can only hope that Chong Wei's injury is not career threatening.
Results:-
Thomas Cup — Group C: Denmark 3 Malaysia 2 (Peter Hoeg Gade bt Lee Chong Wei 2-1 rtd; Carsten Mogensen-Mathias Boe bt Tan Boon Heong-Hoon Thien How 21-17, 21-23, 21-11; Jan O Jorgensen lost to Liew Daren 15-21, 13-21; Jonas Rasmussen-Joachim Fischer Nielsen bt Koo Kien Keat-Goh V Shem 21-18, 21-15; Hans-Kristian Vittinghus lost to Muhammad Hafiz Hashim 21-17, 17-21, 19-21);Group D: South Korea 3 Germany 2.
Uber Cup — Group C: South Korea bt Germany 5-0 ; Group D: Japan bt Denmark 3-2.
Fixtures, Q-finals :-
Thomas Cup, Today China v Malaysia; Indonesia v Japan; Russia v Denmark; Germany v South Korea.
