Dr Ramlan: Shuttler Chong Wei needs five-week rest to fully recover

KUALA LUMPUR: World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei (pic) will need up to five weeks on the sidelines if he intends to make a full recovery.

That is the message from National Sports Institute (NSI) chief Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz.
The 29-year-old Chong Wei injured his right shoulder at the All-England earlier this month.

Although he braved the pain to make it to the final, the injury eventually forced Chong Wei to give up his bid for a third consecutive title as he withdrew whilst trailing old rival Lin Dan.

The Penangite resumed training on Wednesday but has ruled himself out of this week’s US$1mil Axiata Cup matches although he remains hopeful of making a return for the semi-finals next week.

However, after assessing the MRI scans, Dr Ramlan has advised Chong Wei to rest for at least three to five weeks to avoid aggravating the injury.

“It’s nothing too serious, just a muscle spasm,” said Dr Ramlan.
“But he needs to rest the shoulder for three to five weeks if he intends to make a full recovery. There’s no other way of accelerating the recovery process.

“Right now, it’s just a muscle pull and, fortunately, there are no signs of any other injuries.
“The NSI team started treating him immediately after Birmingham and he is already in the second week of recovery.

“But there is a need to manage the injury well in order not to let it become chronic as this is an Olympic year.
“It’s still too soon for him to return to action. I will monitor his recovery on a week-to-week basis and will let his coaches know when he is fit to play,” added Dr Ramlan.

This assessment means Chong Wei will not be ready for the Axiata Cup semi-finals although he could play in the final if the Malaysia Tigers make it.

National singles coach Tey Seu Bock, however, remains hopeful that Chong Wei will recover in time for the semi-finals.

“He won’t play this week and we will wait for Dr Ramlan’s advice before deciding whether can he play next week,” said Seu Bock.

“Although the Axiata Cup is not a major tournament, it would be good for him to compete because too long a period without action won’t be good either ahead of the Thomas Cup and Olympics.”

In Chong Wei’s absence, the burden of carrying the Tigers through to the semi-finals falls on the shoulders of Mohd Hafiz Hashim, Liew Daren, Mohd Arif Abdul Latif and doubles pairs Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong and Goh V Shem-Lim Khim Wah.

The Tigers are grouped with second string Indonesian side Rajawali, the Philippines and Thailand.



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