World Championships: Kisona reveals playing through injury in first-round defeat

The independent player looked on course for victory against Chinese Taipei’s Pai Yu-po after winning the first game and leading the second 15-11, but an old hamstring injury flared up and severely restricted her movement.

Despite being hampered, Kisona bravely soldiered on to three games before bowing out 22-20, 19-21, 13-21.

The world number 57 had to sit down for the post-match interview due to the pain.

When asked why she carried on, Kisona said “It was just my hamstring that hurt, I could still move my hands and feet.

“I tore my hamstring during the World University Games [early August]. Full recovery usually takes four to six weeks, but I only completed just over a week of full rehabilitation. So I took a risk playing.

“When I got on court, I kind of forgot the pain. But it occurred when I was leading in the second game, and that is when I couldn’t run as much.

“I tried to push on as much as possible, but the pain was too much. I’m still smiling here because as a journey player I need to keep pushing. Before this I used to feel down whenever I read negative comments about me.

“But I can smile now, knowing I have given my all,” the 24-year-old told Astro Arena reporter Ahmed Sharazad Sani.

For the record, Kisona’s career was plagued with multiple injuries, including to both her knees.

The 2019 SEA Games gold medalists even left the national team last year to focus on her recovery and continue playing as an independent shuttler.