Recurrence of injury forces Woon to hang up her racquet

PETALING JAYA: It’s time to move on for women’s doubles badminton player Woon Khe Wei (pic) as she decided to hang up her racquet following the recurrence of a knee injury in September.

After making her international debut 11 years ago, it was unlikely that the 28-year-old would ever be able to return to top-level competition.

Khe Wei said she had tendered her resignation on Wednesday.

She first suffered the knee injury during the Asia Team Championships in Kedah in February and it was only six months later that she was able to return to action at the World Championships in Nanjing, China.

“There’re mixed feelings but I’m sad because this year has not been a good year for me due to the injury that came back on and off and I couldn’t fully recover from it,” said Khe Wei.

“So because of injury, it was an easy decision to make. It’s now time for me to move on to another chapter in my life.

“I haven’t decided what to do yet, but I’ll probably go for a holiday first before making a decision.”

Khe Wei reflected on her many fine memories, especially with Vivian Hoo, her doubles partner for 10 years.

Together they were the nation’s No. 1 women’s pair and reached a high of world No. 9 in 2015 and were in the top 20 for the most part of their partnership.

They were formidable, winning the 2011 Indonesian Masters, 2017 New Zealand Open, SEA Games gold medals in 2009 and 2013, Commonwealth Games gold medals in 2010 and 2014 and reaching the quarter-finals of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

“The best memory is of course the Olympics in 2016 which was my first and last Olympics. It was super exciting for the both of us because it is so hard to qualify for it, and to be able to reach the quarter-finals was also a big moment,” she said.

“Winning Sea Games in 2013 was also a good memory because at that time I was recovering from an injury and many did not agree to let me go for it, but we managed to win it.

“We’re very close and we’ve experienced many sweet and bad moments together, and we both know each other well, so I will miss playing with her.”

Since Khe Wei’s injury, Vivian has had to move on and she now partners Yap Cheng Wen. They won the Macau Open last month and have been named as one of two pairs vying for a place in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“I’m happy to see Vivian move on and do well with Cheng Wen and I’m confident they can do well to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.”

Khe Wei remembers her coaches and fans who have always been by her side.

“I have to thank my coaches, Rosman Razak, (Wong) Pei Tty and (Lim) Pek Siah and my partner Vivian who have given me a lot of guidance to help me achieve my best, and of course the Malaysian fans who have always supported us.”