KUALA LUMPUR: Goh Jin Wei's battle with stomach cramps contributed to her loss in the women's singles first round of the Malaysia Open at Axiata Arena, Bukit Jalil, on Wednesday.
India's world No. 31 Malvika Bansod defeated Jin Wei, ranked No. 42, 21-15, 21-16 in just 45 minutes.
After the match, the 24-year-old Malaysian was seen heading straight to the changing room before being wheeled into the treatment room due to severe stomach cramps.
"I felt the cramps during the match but tried to power through. I'm used to the pain because of my previous condition," Jin Wei explained.
"The pain messed with my head, and I couldn't focus on winning. After the match, it got worse, and I couldn't handle it.
"The doctor checked my heart and everything else. It took about 30 minutes, but I was told not to worry," she added.
Jin Wei underwent colectomy surgery in 2019 and briefly stepped away from badminton in 2021.
Although she returned to the sport the following year, she has struggled to recapture the form that earned her girls' singles titles at the 2015 and 2018 World Junior Championships.
Her best results last year included reaching the round of 16 at the Malaysia Open and Malaysia Masters.
Jin Wei, also a former Sea Games champion, played in the Paris Olympics last year, where she won one of two group-stage matches but failed to progress to the knockout rounds.