PETALING JAYA: Mixed doubles shuttler Toh Ee Wei is a rare breed of athlete.
That is Datuk Seri Lee Chong Wei’s assessment as he sees many similarities between himself and Ee Wei when it comes to perseverance in the sport.
The 43-year-old Chong Wei commended Ee Wei’s determination to recover from knee surgery as quickly as possible.
“I’ve been getting reports from Ee Wei regularly and she is certainly a one-of-a-kind athlete,” said Chong Wei.
“Her perseverance and determination remind me of how hard I worked to come back from my injuries during my playing days.
“She really misses the badminton court and wants to come back and play.”
The 25-year-old underwent surgery on her left knee in Melbourne at the start of the month after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during the Singapore Open in May.
Due to her recovery, Ee Wei has had to give up the opportunity to defend the world title she won with Chen Tang Jie under coach Nova Widianto last year.
The duo will miss the World Championships in New Delhi starting on Monday.
They became the country’s first mixed doubles world champions last year.
Chong Wei said Ee Wei was making good progress.
“I’m happy to see her positive spirit, although I know how difficult it is to come back from an injury,” said Chong Wei, who also suffered many setbacks during his career, including an ankle injury during the Thomas Cup Finals just three months before the 2012 London Olympic Games.
He recovered faster than expected and went on to win a silver medal at the Olympics.
“Ee Wei is a different breed... she is a fighter and I know she will be back on the badminton court and win again.
“She is made of sterner stuff,” added Chong Wei.
