Stomach ailment forces Tan Fook to surrender in last eight
PETALING JAYA: It was another sad ending for men’s doubles shuttler Choong Tan Fook in the ongoing Korean Open.
Yesterday, veterans Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah had to concede a walkover to youngsters Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong in the second game of their quarter-final clash at the US$300,000 tournament. Tan Fook was down with a stomach ailment.
The senior pair had lost 19-21 in the first game.
Just a week ago, the veteran duo suffered a big blow in front of home fans when they lost in the first round of the Malaysian Open.
The Korean Open was supposed to be their stage for redemption but misfortune struck again for the beleaguered pair, who are trying to revive their career after a poor performance at the World Championships in Madrid in September.
Then, they had lost in the second round.
Said national doubles coach Rexy Mainaky: “I received a report from Pang (Cheh Chang in Seoul). Tan Fook complained of pain in his stomach whenever he went for overhead shots.
“He did not want to take a risk. He would have played all out if they had not been up against Malaysian opponents. His heart is still set on doing well at the All-England.
The Indonesian said that he would decide the future of the veterans after giving them another shot to prove themselves at the All-England, to be held in Birmingham from March 6-11.
“I am not upset that Tan Fook gave up. It was probably the best move considering his age,” said Rexy. “It is now time for him to recover and get ready for the All-England challenge.
“This pair have been there for a long time and we must tackle their problems differently. “For the time being, they have to watch their weight. Let’s see how they fare at the next tournament.”
PETALING JAYA: It was another sad ending for men’s doubles shuttler Choong Tan Fook in the ongoing Korean Open.
Yesterday, veterans Tan Fook and Lee Wan Wah had to concede a walkover to youngsters Koo Kien Keat-Tan Boon Heong in the second game of their quarter-final clash at the US$300,000 tournament. Tan Fook was down with a stomach ailment.
The senior pair had lost 19-21 in the first game.
Just a week ago, the veteran duo suffered a big blow in front of home fans when they lost in the first round of the Malaysian Open.
The Korean Open was supposed to be their stage for redemption but misfortune struck again for the beleaguered pair, who are trying to revive their career after a poor performance at the World Championships in Madrid in September.
Then, they had lost in the second round.
Said national doubles coach Rexy Mainaky: “I received a report from Pang (Cheh Chang in Seoul). Tan Fook complained of pain in his stomach whenever he went for overhead shots.
“He did not want to take a risk. He would have played all out if they had not been up against Malaysian opponents. His heart is still set on doing well at the All-England.
The Indonesian said that he would decide the future of the veterans after giving them another shot to prove themselves at the All-England, to be held in Birmingham from March 6-11.
“I am not upset that Tan Fook gave up. It was probably the best move considering his age,” said Rexy. “It is now time for him to recover and get ready for the All-England challenge.
“This pair have been there for a long time and we must tackle their problems differently. “For the time being, they have to watch their weight. Let’s see how they fare at the next tournament.”