CWG blow as Chong Wei pulls out injured

World No.1 Lee Chong Wei has withdrawn from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow after picking up an injury. - filepic

KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champion Lee Chong Wei threw a spanner in the works when he pulled out from the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, that will be held from July 23-Aug 3. 

The two-time Olympics silver medallist Chong Wei aggravated a thigh injury during a training session and received treatment at the National Sports Institute (NSI) on Friday.

A statement on his condition is set to be officially released by NSI on Saturday.

The 31-year-old Chong Wei, who has done extremely well this year to win four Superseries titles – in Malaysia, England, India and Japan, posted on his Facebook page on Friday night to confirm that he would skip the Commonwealth Games because of the injury. 

“I’m pulling out of the Commonwealth Games because of thigh injury. I will be going to the hospital tomorrow (today) to get an injection for the injury,” the world No.1 stated.

With Chong Wei out, Malaysia will be banking on world No.19 Chong Wei Feng to deliver the goods at the Games.

Malaysia have won the men’s singles gold medal at the Commonwealth Games since 1990 in Auckland.

Wei Feng, however, is expected to face stiff challenges from other improved singles players from India like K. Srikanth and P. Kashyap. 

A replacement for Chong Wei is likely to be chosen from one of Liew Daren, Goh Soon Huat or Iskandar Zulkarnian Zainuddin.

Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) secretary Ng Chin Chai said that Chong Wei had met NSI chief operating officer Datuk Dr Ramlan Aziz to seek advice.

“He was there (at NSI) in the morning and we are awaiting an official report. Chong Wei aggravated this injury during training and has decided to seek treatment. The coaches will decide soon if there is a need for a replacement,” said Chin Chai.

The others bound for Glasgow are Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong, Chan Peng Soon, Lai Pei Jing, Tee Jing Yi and Lim Yin Loo. 

Malaysia won four golds in New Delhi through Chong Wei (men’s singles), Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong (men’s doubles), Kien Keat-Chin Eei Hui (mixed doubles) and the mixed team event.

Without Chong Wei, it will be tough to win the men’s singles and mixed team event.