INJURY BLOW FOR JUN HOONG
Diver’s left knee will take six to nine months to heal
MALAYSIA have lost another gold medal prospect for the Asian Games as it is now confirmed that diver Cheong Jun Hoong will not make the trip to Indonesia due a chronic knee injury.
Her withdrawal from the quadrennial games was confirmed by National Sports Institute (NSI) medical division director Dr Arshad Puji yesterday.
Dr Arshad disclosed that Jun Hoong ’s left knee will require between six to nine months to heal before she can resume training.
Jun Hoong was obviously disappointed but has accepted the doctor’s orders.
“I started to feel pain two weeks ago and it became more painful when it (knee) started to swell,” said the 28-year-old, who will focus on qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics after she recovers.
“I am sad and disappointed but I have to listen to the doctor for my own good. I want my career to last longer.
“All I can think of right now is to go through the rehabilitation process and recover quickly.”
Dr Arshad said Jun Hoong will undergo further examination at NSI to determine the best treatment for her.
“Jun Hoong had undergone surgery 10 years ago. The new injury has aggravated the old injury which is why she needs six to nine months to heal,” said Dr Arshad.
Her absence is a massive blow to the nation’s hopes in Indonesia having already lost shuttler Lee Chong Wei due to illness.
Jun Hoong had been scheduled to compete in the 10m platform individual and synchro events at the Asian Games.
Her place in the synchro event alongside Pandelela Rinong will be filled by veteran Leong Mun Yee, while her individual slot will be taken up by Nur Dhabitah Sabri.
Jun Hoong won bronze in the 1m individual springboard on her Asian Games debut in 2010 (Guangzhou) and then won one silver (3m springboard synchro) and one bronze (3m springboard individual) at the 2014 Incheon edition.
She won the World Championship gold in the 10m platform individual last year and earlier this season partnered Pandelela to the 10m platform synchro title at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.