The Star Malaysia

National No. 2 Iskandar a no-go for All-England after aggravatin­g back injury

- By KNG ZHENG GUAN

PETALING JAYA: Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin has been dealt a third major blow of the season.

Yesterday, the national No. 2 men’s singles shuttler was forced to pull out of the All-England in Birmingham from March 7-12.

Last week, the 25-year-old withdrew from this week’s Badminton Asia Mixed Team Championsh­ips in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

To date, the world No. 31 has withdrawn from three tournament­s after injuring his back in December.

He also skipped last month’s Malaysian Masters in Sibu.

“I was cleared to return to training at the start of this month but the injury got worse.

“The doctors have ordered me to undergo another six weeks of rehabilita­tion.

“It’s so disappoint­ing because I really wanted to compete in my first All-England. But I think it’s better to make a full recovery and return to action at the Malaysian Open (April 4-9),” said Iskandar.

With world No. 1 Lee Chong Wei also nursing a knee injury, independen­t shuttler Zulfadli Zulkiffli is Malaysia’s only representa­tive in the men’s singles at the All-England.

The world No. 33 is a big beneficiar­y of Chong Wei and Iskandar’s withdrawal. Instead of playing in the qualifying tournament, 2013 world junior champion Zulfadli has been given a berth in the main draw.

The other Malaysians competing are Goh V Shem-Tan Wee Kiong and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (men’s doubles), Goh Jin Wei (women’s singles), Vivian Hoo-Woon Khe Wei (women’s doubles) and Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying and Tan Kian MengLai Pei Jing (mixed doubles).

 ??  ?? Luckless: Iskandar Zulkarnain is hoping to return to competitio­n at the Malaysian Open from April 4-9.
Luckless: Iskandar Zulkarnain is hoping to return to competitio­n at the Malaysian Open from April 4-9.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Malaysia