Onto another level
Chong Wei to begin full training next week, says Hendrawan
KUALA LUMPUR: National men’s singles coach Hendrawan has played down fears over Lee Chong Wei’s return to action.
The 36-year-old had been sidelined since July last year after being diagnosed with an early stage nose cancer. Chong Wei had since completed his treatment and resumed training in January.
However, his targeted return to competition at the All-England earlier this month and next week’s Malaysian Open did not materialise after failing to get the clearance from his doctors in Taiwan.
But Hendrawan, who’s been handling Chong Wei’s training since 2015, remains upbeat on the progress made by the threetime Olympic silver medallist.
While the 46-year-old Indonesian was tightlipped if Chong Wei could make it for the Sudirman Cup in May, he assured that everything else remains “on the right track”.
“There has been no talks on the Sudirman Cup yet,” said Hendrawan.
“All I can say is that Chong Wei is making encouraging progress.
“From next week (starting tomorrow), we are increasing the frequency of his training sessions from three days a week to six.
“It’s still going to be a one half-day session in the morning ... that will do for now,” added the 2001 world champion who was instrumental in helping Chong Wei get back on his feet after an eight-month doping suspension four years ago.
Chong Wei appeared in good spirits as he sparred with back-up shuttlers Lim Chong King and Ng Tze Yong at the Academy Badminton Malaysia yesterday.
His absence from the Malaysian Open, which begins at the Axiata Arena on Tuesday, will certainly be felt.
It’s a tournament Chong Wei has competed in since 1998. The only time he gave it a miss was in 2002 due to dengue fever and in 2015 when he was banned for doping.
He is the most successful men’s singles player in the tournament’s history with a record 12 titles.