Lee Chong Wei made his first official public appearance yesterday, after being diagnosed with nose cancer in August. The 12-time Malaysian Open badminton champion and 3-time Olympic silver medallist announced that he will be ready to be back in the courts soon.
Lee underwent treatment in Taiwan, losing 7kg and his muscles, as he went through 33 times of proton therapy. He is now cleared off cancer, but will still need to return to Taiwan for medical check-ups every three months.
“I’m gradually trying to recover and build my physique in order to be fit enough for intense training,” he said. The 36-year-old is currently training three times a week, compared to six previously.
The former No. 1 said that he hopes to be ready in time for the All England in March next year, but it will all depend on the progress he makes and his doctors’ advice. Lee is aiming to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
“It will be my fifth Olympics if I make it this time. It is my dream to play in one last Olympics,” he said.
Speaking to the media yesterday, Lee thanked everyone for their words of encouragement and well-wishes, and asked everyone to pray that he would win “this off-court battle”.
Source: FMT, NST, Straits Times