PETALING JAYA: An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury has not dampened mixed doubles world champion Toh Ee Wei’s determination to qualify for a second Olympic Games at Los Angeles 2028.
Ee Wei made her intentions clear during a video call with Youth and Sports Minister Taufiq Johari on Friday.
Taufiq contacted the shuttler to check on her condition after she underwent surgery on her left knee in Melbourne, Australia, on Tuesday.
“I still want to fight for Olympic qualification,” said Ee Wei before ending the call.
Earlier, Ee Wei also explained to Taufiq how she suffered the injury while partnering Chen Tang Jie at the Singapore Open in May.
The pair were leading India’s Dhruv Kapila-Tanisha Crasto 18-16 when Ee Wei slipped while returning a shot, forcing her to retire from the match.
“When I watched the video, I realised I had slipped and twisted my knee. I went for an MRI scan and it was confirmed I had torn my ACL.
“Training had been normal, but during the match maybe there was a bit of pressure. As players, we naturally put pressure on ourselves,” she said.
In the meantime, Tang Jie will partner youngster Clarissa San at the Japan Open from July 14-19.
Ee Wei will now begin her rehabilitation before making her return to competition.
Qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics runs from May 2027 until April 2028.
