PETALING JAYA: Reigning world champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei skipped last year’s Asian Championships following a disappointing showing at the All-England, which led to a temporary split between the pair.
This year, it looked like the duo, now reunited and back in form, might face another setback in the Asian meet when Ee Wei suffered a minor injury, raising concerns over her participation in Ningbo, China, starting Tuesday.
But those fears have been replaced with relief after Ee Wei was given the green light to play by the medical team.
A relieved Ee Wei said the abdominal injury she sustained earlier was not a major concern and that she has recovered about 70%.
“Over the past two to three weeks, the intensity of my training has been quite high, so I suffered a slight strain in my stomach. But it is now about 70% healed,” said Ee Wei.
Ee Wei clarified that it is not a recurrence of the injury she experienced at the China Masters in September last year.
Instead, it was sustained during training ahead of the Asian meet.
Although she has yet to fully recover, Ee Wei does not see it as a major issue, noting that it is part of being an elite athlete.
“It is nothing to worry about, because every athlete goes through injuries,” she said.
“The most important thing is how I deal with it. For me, this is something I am used to.”
Ee Wei and her partner Chen Tang Jie, will open their campaign against home pair Cheng Xing-Zhang Chi.
Ee Wei does not want to set high expectations, as she is aware that her focus this week has been more on physical recovery from the abdominal injury.
“I think we need to take it step by step. Over the past week, I have not been able to train fully. I have only been doing what I am capable of. So hopefully when we get there, I can give my best on court.
“I must focus on my own preparation first.”
