KUALA LUMPUR: Men’s doubles player Wan Arif Junaidi, who posted a picture of himself on a hospital bed, has been cleared to play at the Hong Kong Open with Yap Roy King next week.
The photo, uploaded late last night, caused concern among badminton fans about his health condition.
However, national men’s doubles head coach Herry Iman Pierngadi cleared the air at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM), stating that Arif had been experiencing acid reflux symptoms since returning from the badminton World Championships in Paris.
Herry said an endoscopy was done last night as a precautionary measure, and the player was cleared of any serious gastrointestinal issues.
He even trained this morning and was seen going through drills and executing smashes without discomfort.
“Arif was having acid reflux-like symptoms and felt bloated and uncomfortable over the last few days, so we went to hospital last night and did an endoscopy,” explained Herry.
“However, he is not suffering anything serious. If he did, he wouldn’t have trained this morning. Arif and Roy King will play at the Hong Kong Open as scheduled.
“In fact, Arif wasn’t feeling well a week before the World Championships with a similar problem, but he recovered, and it didn’t affect his performance in Paris.
“He just lost a bit of power, but otherwise, he is in good condition.
“However, he must look after his eating habits and consume less acidic food.”
World No. 20 Arif–Roy King had a good run at the World Championships, where they defeated world No. 34 Kenya Mitsuhashi–Hiroki Okamura of Japan and world No. 12 Dechapol Puavaranukroh–Kittinupong Kedren of Thailand before narrowly losing 18-21, 21-18, 26-24 to world No. 2 compatriots Aaron Chia–Soh Wooi Yik in the last 16.
Arif confirmed that he will compete in the Hong Kong Open, which begins on Tuesday, despite the health scare.
“I will play in Hong Kong. I felt a bit of pain in the chest but it’s okay now,” said Arif briefly.
However, it will not be an easy start for Arif-Roy King, as they will play Denmark’s world No. 4 Kim Astrup-Anders Skaarup Rasmussen in the first round in Hong Kong.
The Danish veterans, who won bronze in Paris, have a favourable 2-0 head-to-head record over the national pair but a fully recovered Arif and Roy King should give them a run for their money.
The other Malaysians playing in the Hong Kong Open main draw are Aaron-Wooi Yik, world No. 3 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin, world No. 6 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun, world No. 24 Nur Mohd Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong, and 29th-ranked Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi.
Low Hang Yee-Ng Eng Cheong (No. 43) and Choong Hon Jian-Haikal Nazri (No. 45) will play in the qualifying rounds.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
