As promised yesterday, our legend, Dato’ Lee Chong Wei (LCW) has made a comeback by having a press conference today (8 Nov).
People were assuming he might be announcing his retirement, but that wasn’t the case. According to Stadium Astro, the 36-year-old is training and aiming to play at 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
In case you were unaware, back in July, LCW announced he had nose cancer which caused him to miss several tournaments as he had to undergo treatment in Taiwan. He was there for two and a half months.
“I cried for a week. I couldn’t eat nor sleep,” he said when he was diagnosed with nose cancer. He said this during the press conference at Badminton Association Malaysia (BAM) at Bukit Kiara this afternoon, according to Astro Awani.
“My family and friends were by my side during the whole journey and that was a motivation for me to move forward. I was treated by seven doctors. Four of them are fans of mine and they were eager for me to get better in order for me to get back in the court as soon as possible. Going through that stage was hard for me but I know life has to go on,” he added.
He claims he is currently training to get physically fit, before returning to the court. “I love badminton, so I will try my very best to come back to the court soon. I already started training and doing workouts for the past two weeks to regain my body weight and fitness,” the badminton legend said.
“I cannot say 100% that I can come back. Last time I know my body well [so I know whether I can go on or not] but as I just finished my treatment, I don’t know my condition. I must train and go back to the court first. If my condition is good, I will continue playing; if it isn’t and I cannot train as hard I want to, then I have to stop,” LCW explained.
He admits that his family, especially his wife, isn’t too happy with his decision to go back to playing badminton. However, the burning passion and love he has for the sport made him stick to his decision to continue doing what he loves best.
LCW has not given up on his Olympic dream for a gold medal and hopes to be able to join the 2020 Olympics in Japan. “[Tokyo 2020] is one and half years away and will be the last fight for me. Winning a gold medal at the Olympics has always been my dream and target,” he said.
We’re rooting for you, Dato LCW! Get well soon!
Also read: Datuk Lee Chong Wei is Undergoing 2-Month Treatment For Career-Threatening Disease in Taiwan