Legendary Malaysian shuttler Lee Chong Wei has been diagnosed with an early stage nose cancer and is currently undergoing treatment in Taiwan, China the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) said on Saturday.
“In response to recent reports concerning Datuk Lee Chong Wei, BAM confirms that the player has been diagnosed with early-stage nose cancer,” BAM President Datuk Seri Norza Zakaria was quoted as saying by PTI in a statement in their website.
“Chong Wei is currently in Taiwan seeking treatment and I am pleased to inform you that he is responding well to his treatment and is currently resting and recuperating amongst family and close friends,” he added.
Earlier, the Malaysian Badminton association had issued a statement in which it had confirmed that Chong Wei had been diagnosed with a respiratory-related disorder in July and was taking a break, said the report in PTI.
A three-time Olympic silver medallist, Chong is the only Malaysian to hold the No.1 ranking for more than a year. He held the top ranking for 199 consecutive weeks from 21 August 2008 to 14 June 2012. Chong, however, had to skip the World Championships and the 18th Asian Games because of his illness.
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A rumour had also been circulating on social media, which claimed that Chong was suffering from a third-stage nose cancer. But refuting such claims, the BAM further said, “We urge everyone to respect his privacy and that of his family. BAM is in constant contact with Chong Wei and we will offer any support we can to our legend.”