Taipei: Taiwan’s World No. 15 Chou Tien Chen, after winning the 2024 Thailand Masters in February, revealed to the public that he had battled cancer last year. However, Chou has been reluctant to discuss the matter further. But recently, in an interview with the BWF official website, Chou Tien Chen once again mentioned his experience of discovering his cancer and admitted that he didn’t want to use that as an excuse because he had bigger goals in mind.
In the interview, Chou Tien Chen disclosed that he discovered he had colorectal cancer in April last year, just before the Asian Championships. Although he recovered well after surgery, he kept that incident to himself and his inner circle before he announced it to the public this year.
Chou stated, “I don’t want to make excuses.” He also pointed out his lofty goal, saying, “You keep playing because you have dreams, right? The Olympics have always been my dream.”
Chou Tien Chen admitted that he has never won an Olympic medal. “I really want to win an Olympic medal. We (he and his therapists) always focus on this and make every effort to prepare for the Olympics, whether it’s in thoughts, sleep, or diet, we must be fully focused.” Although he has not fully regained his stability, Chou Tien Chen stated that he feels physically and mentally well, except for occasional lapses in focus during competitions.
He recalled that in April last year, he was training with Viktor Axelsen when he underwent a routine medical check up, which came as a shock to him. “I have always eaten well and slept well, so I don’t understand why this happened. I kept it a secret until the right time to announce it, because I won the championship again, and my health improved.”
Chou Tien Chen said, “I want to show everyone my attitude. Life is not just about badminton; you must continue to do well in everything you do. I want to tell everyone that when you encounter failure or negative emotions, you must maintain a positive attitude, and you will find the answers.” He also expressed that his physical condition has improved significantly, and he has more confidence. “When I encounter something like this at my age, I can still do more. You can also face various challenges with a positive attitude.”
Talking about his expectations for the Olympics, Chou Tien Chen not only wants to compete for medals but also hopes that the Olympics will be filled with positive energy. “This is the dream of every athlete. We face each other with a good attitude and engage in a great battle. Whether we win or lose, we can create great battles, and everyone will push themselves to the limit, which is very inspiring.”
