Inspirational Olympian

Datuk Lee Chong Wei to finally reveal his health status in his first press conference since he was diagnosed with nose cancer. -Art Chen/ The Star. 8 Nov 2018. Reporter: JOASH

Many must be wondering why Lee Chong Wei wants to play badminton again after being diagnosed with nose cancer. Yes, he is recovering and is in positive spirits but can his diminutive frame cope with the physically demanding sport - much less enable him to play top-flight badminton again? Chong Wei tells StarSport’s TAN MING WAI the reasons behind his comeback and hopes that playing badminton again will erase the painful memories of his struggles with nose cancer. 

NOSE-cancer survivor Lee Chong Wei is driven to make a comeback in badminton for two good reasons – a desire to compete in his fifth Olympic Games and be the guiding light for the younger generation of players.

He aims to be the first Malaysian athlete to feature in five straight Olympic Games by qualifying for the Tokyo edition in 2020.

Chong Wei, who debuted at the Athens Olympic Games in 2004 and won silver in his three previous outings in Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016, is tied at four appearances with diver Leong Mun Yee and sailor Kevin Lim.

“I really want to go for one more Olympics to make it my fifth consecutive appearance,” said Chong Wei.

“No athlete from Malaysia has ever competed five times at the Olympics and I want to create history. It’s not an easy feat to make it to five Olympics, that’s equivalent to 20 years!”

Besides his unfulfilled Olympic gold medal dream, Chong Wei believes he also has a big role to play at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM).

“One of the reasons I’m eager to return to training is because I want to continue inspiring the youngsters in the national team,” he said.

“We’ve seen how players like (Lee) Zii Jia and (Goh) Jin Wei have risen to the occasion this year. They are certainly the promising stars for our country.

“I hope to be present to guide them.”

Chong Wei says playing badminton again will help erase all the painful memories of his struggles with nose cancer.

He still remembers the day when he found out about his nose cancer – and will never forget how his wife Wong Mew Choo stood by him.

He was unwell and had gone for his body check-up at the Gleneagles Kuala Lumpur in mid July.

It was all back to business as usual for him – three days after the health screening.

After all, he had just clinched his 12th Malaysian Open crown in sensational style and reached the semis of the Indonesian Open and had been in good form ahead of the World Championships in Nanjing, China, in August.

The 35-year-old Chong Wei was just about to leave for the afternoon training session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) when Mew Choo broke the sad news. He felt like the world had just fallen apart.

“My wife received a call from the doctor at about 11.30am. I wasn’t aware of the call as I was resting after a tiring training session in the morning,” Chong Wei recounted.

“I’ve already picked up my bag and was ready to leave home. Then, I asked Mew Choo whether the doctor has called. She came towards me, hugged me and cried. I knew it was bad news. It’s nose cancer, she broke the news.

“My badminton bag slipped from my grasp and I started to cry too. I slumped on the sofa crying and asked why it had to be me. My mum found out and she hugged me and cried too.”

It took a while but Chong Wei accepted his fate and sought treatment.

“On the same day we went to Gleneagles to speak to the doctor. I was then referred to Subang Jaya Medical Centre,” said Chong Wei.

“My wife did all the talking as I was very down and my mind was blank.

“The doctor suggested MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans to find out whether it has spread to other parts of my body.

“I did it on the same day and fortunately, the cancer was still in its early stage.

“The doctor asked if I wanted a second opinion. I said there’s no need because this was already my second consultation and I wanted to be treated as soon as possible.”

Chong Wei eventually sought treatment in Taiwan, thanks to a recommendation by his family dentist.

“This close friend of mine told me to go to Taiwan as the country is well-known for treating nose cancer patients. It seems nose cancer is so common there.

“He sent my medical reports to his contacts in Taiwan.”

Chong Wei opted for proton therapy treatment. In Asia, besides Taiwan, this type of treatment is only available in Japan, South Korea and China.

“I did not choose Korea or Japan because of the language barrier. China was not ideal because I feared the news of my illness would leak. I was not embarrassed to let people know but at that time, I just wanted the privacy to go through it as it was not pleasant news.

“I went through 33 sessions of proton therapy treatment and it was a nightmare. By the third week, it has taken a toll on my throat. I could not speak or eat.

“I’m just so glad that the worst is over now.”

Chong Wei does not want to end his career as a cancer patient. He wants to come out of the ordeal, play the sport and win honours again, and that to him will be the best way for a champion to end his colourful and adventurous badminton journey.