Tough luck: Tests have revealed that Ng Tze Yong has injured his spinal disc.
PETALING JAYA: Men’s singles shuttler Ng Tze Yong is injured yet again but it’s not because of overtraining.
National coaching director Rexy Mainaky denied that was the reason that has led to the world No. 15 Tze Yong suffering a fresh blow in his hopes of qualifying for the Paris Olympics after picking up a spinal issue during the Asia Team Championship recently.
The 23-year-old was working his way back from a lower back muscle injury sustained in the Malaysian Open last month before he was diagnosed with the new injury.
Tze Yong could only play one match in the team meet against Brunei in the group stage and had to then retire against Singapore’s Jason Teh in the quarter-finals while trailing 1-3.
Tests have since revealed that he has injured his spinal disc.
National coaching director Rexy has since moved to deny that Tze Yong’s issue was due to working extra hours in training.
The latter said that he was planning to train six hours a day in December to prepare for the new season but Rexy said there was no truth in it.“This injury is not because of overtraining. There is zero truth in that,” said Rexy.
“Tze Yong has been going through his usual training regime.
“After the Malaysian Open, we carefully planned to strengthen him and get him fit for the Asia team meet.”
Meanwhile, Tze Yong will miss the German Open from Feb 27-Mar 3 and is also doubtful for the French Open (Mar 5-10), All-England (Mar 12-17) and Spain Masters (Mar 26-31).
Rexy admitted that his chances of competing in the European tourneys look slim but has refused to rule him out just yet.
“If you ask me, it’s impossible to play 750 and 1000 tournaments in the condition Tze Yong was in the Asia team meet,” said Rexy.
“But we will wait for the medical report regarding his latest condition before making a decision to send him or not.
“We are hoping that he will recover in time for the French Open.”
Tze Yong’s chances of qualifying for the Olympics now hangs in the balance.
He needs to maintain his ranking in the top 16 before the Olympic qualifying period ends at the end of April to make the cut. In the world rankings released yesterday, Tze Yong has not dropped one rung to the 16th position.
