Paris 2024 Olympic Games cycle can be physically and mentally exhausting.
And as Chinese Taipei badminton star Chow Tien Chen has discovered, it can also be a lifesaver.
The former world number two is keen to confirm he is in top form fore of the crucial qualification year for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
After a thorough medical examination, he was diagnosed with early stage colon cancer.
“If I hadn’t found out, I wouldn’t be standing here,” Chou told Olympics.com after winning the quarterfinals at the BWF Madrid Spain Masters 2024. “Maybe I would have stopped my career.”
Chow kept the news from her fans and even her friends for nearly a year, but is now speaking out in hopes that her story will inspire others to get early cancer screenings.
How to qualify for badminton at Paris 2024 Olympic Games
BWF Madrid Spain Masters 2024
A second opinion saved Chou Tien Chen’s life
As one of the best players in the world, Chou has a packed schedule of tournaments almost every week. When a gap opened up between tournaments in quickly 2023, he decided to use the advantage to undergo a full physical.
“This year is a special year for the Olympics, so I don’t want to miss anything,” explained the double Olympian. “I did a full test before [events where I could collect] Olympic ranking points.”
Two doctors who examined Chow discovered that he was at high risk of developing cancer.
“They tested for cancer and said it was high danger,” Chow said. “They said I might be capable to come back after a year. I said I would think about it. It’s really weird because I did a health check, maybe I got cancer or something that I could cut earlier, but they said, ‘You just wait a year.’
“I thought it was very strange, so I changed hospitals and I tested it again and they found cancer.”
After receiving the diagnosis, Chou underwent surgery to remove cancer cells from his colon. Doctors also cut a part of his large intestine to prevent the spread of the disease.
Returning to badminton – and keeping quiet
Within days of the surgery, Chou was back on the badminton court and back to her grueling tournament schedule.
While out, the Chinese Taipei star was seen going through the same motions as before, struggling to keep his mind clear.
“It was a little difficult because when I came back before, I wasn’t so focused on my game,” Chow said. “Sometimes I was really focused, and I yet lost. I don’t know why, but I found that maybe my physique was going down.
“I think it was the cancer that made me go to court sometimes.”
Chow has taken time to rediscover his best form, despite reaching the semi-finals of the Swiss Open last March.
He would not reach the last four of another tournament until the Hilo Open in Germany in November, which he won.
After that victory, she shared the story with her church group with only family members who previously knew of her diagnosis. Most of his friends wouldn’t be found for another three months.
“I’m really happy I was able to come back cause I found out really quickly, so I cut it out quickly,” said Chou, who now encourages others to seek early diagnosis and treatment. “Thank God for making me think I need to go and get a second opinion.”
Chou Tien Chen’s new love for badminton
After going through the worst, Chow says he now has a different mindset when he goes to court.
“I really appreciate it,” he said. “I can stand here… I can jump here!”
His form is also picking up. Chow defeated former world champion Loh Ken Yu to book February’s Thailand Masters
He then arrived the final of the Swiss Open for the second incessantly year before arriving the semi-finals of the Madrid Spain Masters.
But even when matches don’t go his way, Chow still manages to stay motivated.
“Every time I feel uncomfortable, I tell myself, ‘Yes, I can come back,'” he said. “It’s a miracle so I can’t be angry.”