Men’s doubles shuttler Wan Arif Wan Junaidi has been hit with an untimely setback after falling ill with fever and flu just days before making his debut at the World Championships in Paris next week.
Arif, who will partner Yap Roy King at the prestigious event, was forced to skip training on Monday after coming down sick. According to men’s doubles coach Herry Iman Pierngadi, the 23-year-old has since returned to the court but is still not at full strength.
“Arif was down with fever and flu on Monday and could not train. He has returned to training today (Tuesday) but has still not fully recovered,” said Herry after overseeing a session at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara.
“He could not take part in one of the three sessions I had planned but managed to participate in the other two. I am slightly concerned since the world meet is so close. We will continue monitoring his condition and hope he can recover fully in time.”
Arif and Roy King are scheduled to leave for Paris on Thursday (Aug 21) with the rest of the Malaysian contingent. The world No. 22 pair will be aiming to build on their momentum after capturing their first World Tour title at the Macau Open earlier this month.
Their opening match in Paris will be against Japan’s world No. 34 duo Kenya Mitsuhashi-Hiroki Okamura. Should they advance, they face a difficult second-round clash against Thailand’s world No. 12 pair Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Kittinupong Kedren.
Malaysia’s men’s doubles challenge will also feature world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik, world No. 3 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, and world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun.
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