Ee Wei’s Resilience: From Beating TB to Winning Masters

At the Orleans Masters, badminton fans witnessed not only career breakthroughs but also an inspiring life breakthrough by Toh Ee Wei. The young Malaysian mixed doubles champion had battled bone tuberculosis just a year ago, but with hard work and determination, she overcame the illness, underwent treatment, rehabilitation and training. And recently, despite facing such a challenging ordeal, she emerged victorious with Tang Jie Chen in a win that took them into the Top 20 in mixed doubles. It was an achievement that earned them a call-up to Malaysia’s Sudirman Cup Squad and inspired those who watch badminton’s champions overcome their diagnoses and win on court. Toh Ee Wei has become a beacon of hope for those who face such dire circumstances and reminds us all that with resilience and grit, we can overcome even the toughest of challenges.

Bone TB, also known as musculoskeletal tuberculosis, is a debilitating illness that causes excruciating pain. Ee Wei, who has experienced the ailment firsthand, revealed that popping painkillers became a routine for her. Watching her daughter struggle in the hospital, Ee Wei’s mother couldn’t help but weep. Despite the agony, Ee Wei remains optimistic and upbeat, having returned from a month-full of tournaments, albeit jetlagged from France. In the wake of losses, Ee Wei remains focused on the next steps, but it was after a win that she reflected on the past year’s struggles. Sharing her emotional journey with the world through a vulnerable Instagram post, Ee Wei hopes to raise awareness of bone TB and offer hope to those currently battling the disease.

Ee Wei’s journey has been far from easy. She had already undergone a surgery for chronic sinusitis at the young age of 18, which made playing badminton, her love and passion, incredibly challenging. But the determined athlete continued to push through, never letting her health issues hold her back. However, things took a turn for the worse when she was diagnosed with Bone TB at just 21 years old. This news could have broken the strongest of spirits, but not Ee Wei. Despite the setback, she remained as bubbly and dynamic as ever, determined to fight the disease and regain her health. Her resilience and unwavering spirit are truly inspiring, and a reminder that one can overcome any hurdle if they just keep fighting.

Ee Wei’s love for badminton took hold at age 7 when she first started playing in her house in Malacca. Her talent was quickly recognized by her father who would send her to local coaching centers. Fast forward to today and Ee Wei is a formidable player with an impressive collection of amazing moments captured on YouTube. There’s footage of Ee Wei diving in front from the midcourt, tumbling back to sit on the court floor, and still managing to return the shuttle. There’s another clip where she misses a forehand tap completely but then drops her racquet and connects a backhand with the dipping shuttle below net level. Her skills are so impressive that Koo Kien Keat, former doubles great from Malaysia, calls Ee Wei a ‘daring player.’ It’s clear that Ee Wei’s passion for badminton has translated into serious talent–an unbeatable combination.

After recovering from bone TB, starting her training was a difficult task for her. With no muscle, energy, or strength, it was no mean feat to get back on the badminton court. While her teammates squealed and guffawed during doubles sessions, she was in the gym, working on building her strength slowly and methodically. The road to recovery was long and arduous, but she was determined not to give up. The coaches urged her to take it slow, reminding her constantly to pace herself. But with persistent effort, the strength began to return, and she could once again play her delectable and delightful strokes, the way she always liked playing them. The coaches knew her struggle and were a source of constant support, helping her to slowly build up her stamina, speed, and strength.

Ee Wei, an ardent fan of the legendary Indonesian badminton player Lilyana Natsir, found herself paired with a formidable partner, Tang Jie Chen, in December. Together, they won the Orleans title, despite having limited court time due to Wei’s busy gym routine. Wei worked hard every day to push through the post-rehab soreness of her muscles, determined to achieve greatness. She enlisted the help of S&C coach Nick Hedayatpour, known as the “strength artist” in Kuala Lumpur, to help her push her limits. Even without extensive on-court sessions with her partner, Ee Wei’s sheer determination and dedication enabled her to overcome all obstacles and emerge victorious.