Badminton: Singapore's Yeo Jia Min out of SEA Games women's singles, not fully recovered from injury

BANGKOK: Singapore’s hopes of winning its first women’s singles gold in 14 years have been dealt a big blow as world number 18 Yeo Jia Min will not compete in the event.

In response to CNA's queries, a Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) spokesperson said Yeo has not fully recovered from a recent injury.

Singapore will be represented by world number 150 Insyirah Khan and world-ranked 192 Jaslyn Hooi.

Insyirah will go up against Malaysia’s Wong Ling Ching, while Hooi faces K Letshanaa, who is also from Malaysia.

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"We wish Jia Min a smooth and complete recovery, and thank everyone for their understanding and continued support," added the SNOC spokesperson.

In a post on Instagram, Yeo said she was "heartbroken".

"Unfortunately a decision was made to withdraw from the games," she wrote.

"I apologise to all fans back home who were looking forward ... But I will pick myself back up as many times as I need to."

The Singapore Badminton Association (SBA) said that Yeo had come to Bangkok with the intention to play, although she has not fully recovered from her injury. 

"We rested her during the team event in the hope that she would be able to compete in the women’s singles event. 

"Unfortunately, we have assessed that it is better to allow her more time to recuperate rather than risk aggravating her injury," added the association.

Yeo, who was one of Singapore’s two flag bearers at the Games’ opening ceremony on Tuesday, also did not feature in the team event.

When asked previously during the team event, national singles’ coach Kim Ji-hyun said that Yeo, 26, will compete in the singles and was rested to provide an opportunity for younger players.

Fu Mingtian won gold at the 2011 edition of the Games. To date, this is the only time a Singaporean female badminton player has won the singles’ event.

In the men’s singles event, top seed and world number 10 Loh Kean Yew will face Philippines’ Jewel Angelo Albo.

Singapore’s world number 21 Jason Teh will go up against Malaysia’s Justin Hoh.

Thailand's world number 3 Kunlavut Vitidsarn will not be contesting in the event as he recovers from a wisdom tooth surgery and prepares for the year-end BWF World Tour finals.