Tien-chen's remarkable comeback from cancer to win Thailand Masters
Henry Larsson
February 7, 2024 14:58 MYT
February 7, 2024 14:58 MYT
Newly crowned Thailand Masters champion Chou Tien-chen recently revealed he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, but the Chinese Taipei star underwent surgery and even flew to compete the next day.
Chou’s shocking revelation came after he beat Singapore’s Loh Kean Yew last Sunday to win the Super 300 men’s singles title in Bangkok after a three-game thriller.
It was his first title of the year, and capped a remarkable comeback after he was diagnosed with cancer last year.
It started when he did a medical check-up and found out about his health condition.
The 34-year-old immediately made plans to undergo surgery to remove the cancerous part of his colon.
In order to ensure the cancer did not spread, the doctor cut out Chou’s larger intestine and used a clip that can be absorbed by the human body to help the wound heal.
“Perhaps it was because I did enough good deeds so I could witness the Lord’s glory, or perhaps what I did was not enough so the Lord let me find out earlier to live longer and do more.
“I realize that nothing I have now should be taken for granted, nor should I feel smug because everything is earned through perseverance,” he said
Eventhough he resumed playing badminton after the surgery, Chou did not have a good 2023 season.
Besides having to control his diet, he also had to deal with the shock of being diagnosed with the disease.
But he slowly made his way back and claimed the Hylo Open late last year.
With a clean bill of health and a successful start to 2024 , the world number 13 will now turn his attention to returning to the top 10 and challenging for bigger honours from now on.
Chou is not the first active shuttler to have been diagnosed with cancer.
In 2018, Lee Chong Wei was diagnosed with early-stage nose cancer and eventually retired the following year.
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