Petr Koukal to fight Tumour

The affable giant from Czech Republic had an urgent operation after he was diagnosed with a tumour in the urological region. The Czech was just going through a routine exam […]

The affable giant from Czech Republic had an urgent operation after he was diagnosed with a tumour in the urological region. The Czech was just going through a routine exam check when he found out he had to undergo a sudden operation to prevent the tumour from expanding.

During a preventive medical check-up, doctors found a tumour and the same day I had to undergo painful urgent surgery where they removed it. Now while I am still in hospital recovering I am impatiently waiting for results and hoping for the best. But the prognoses are not too good and most probably this will be my toughest match so far… But as every time on court, I will never give up and I believe in winning in the end,” said the Czech player.

The next medical exams, which will showing whether the whole tumour is gone and hopefully that nothing has spread elsewhere, will be given to him on October 1st.

This comes at the worst time ever for Koukal, who had searched for an Asian sparring partner and finally found one in the name of Budi Santoso from Indonesia. Koukal had made the trip preparations and paid all expanses for Santoso to come and train with him just a day before he had to leave for the hospital.

It all happened just one day after the Indonesian coach Budi Santoso arrived to Prague to train me before the Czech International and other autumn tournaments. He was supposed to stay 10 weeks but now he will probably have to go back home because I am out of training for at least 5 weeks.

It really hurts, especially after playing well at the Worlds and Bitgurger and I was so looking forward to upholding my Czech Int’l  title again. But that is life and now the most important for me is to get healthy again whatever it takes, ” added the Czech.

Badzine and Solibad (Petr is a fantastic Ambassador for Solibad in his country)  fraternity wish all the very best for his upcoming medical results and wish to see him back on court very soon.

Raphaël Sachetat

About Raphaël Sachetat

Raphael is the Chief Editor of Badzine International. He is the founder of the website together with Jean François Chauveau. After many years writing for the BWF and many publications around the world about badminton, he now leads a team of young and dynamic writers for Badzine.