Malaysian superstar Lee defies medics, enters last All England
Birmingham, March 8
Lee Chong Wei feared his career was over in a freak accident which tore his knee ligament during badminton practice last month.
Then the world No. 1 thought he’d be out for six weeks and miss the All England Open, which he has won three times.
But so desperate was he not to miss it that in just over three weeks he was passed fit to compete.
Still in some pain and not quite 100 per cent fit, he starts his 13th and last All England later today.
There was a collective gasp in Malaysia on February 4 when news came that Chong Wei slipped and fell, tearing the medial collateral ligament in his left knee.
The ligament attaches the top of the shin bone to the bottom of the thigh bone. It normally takes 42 days to heal.
But 23 days later, he passed a second scan on the knee, and a day later his doctor and coaches agreed he could oblige his top seeding in Birmingham.
“I’ll just need to prepare myself mentally,” he said.
Chong Wei lost the final of the last three Olympics, and the last four world championships. He, however, has been world player of the year five times, and received numerous awards, titles, and military rankings in Malaysia.
“I admit age is no longer on my side, but I have never let it weaken my spirit,” Chong Wei had said last month.
“I still don’t have any major title to my name, and that is what strengthens my resolve to at least win the world title in Glasgow in August. This is what motivates me to continue playing. I will know when my time is up. Trust me.”
This last hurrah brings him to the All England. He likes his draw. In the semifinals he could meet Chen Long, who beat him for the Olympics gold; then perhaps a fourth All England final with his great nemesis Lin Dan.
His first-round match will be against French qualifier Brice Leverdez, who beat Chong Wei in the Denmark Open quarterfinals in October. — AP
