Hong Kong Olympic star Minnie Soo has no plans to retire, despite lingering nerve injury – ‘I still have a lot to achieve’
- The Olympic medallist has been unable to compete due to an ongoing nerve issue, but says she still has the fire to mix it up with the world’s best
- After returning to university, the 24-year-old has also branched out to a new business venture with her sister
Olympic bronze medallist Minnie Soo Wai-yam has said she has no plans to retire any time soon, despite returning to school and launching a new business venture in Hong Kong.
The 24-year-old’s future in the sport had been uncertain, after a lingering nerve problem in her right arm, known as YIPS, started to emerge sometime in 2019, but progressively got worse after the Tokyo Olympics.
The issue has hampered her training and performance, even after she was admitted to the School of Science at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology for the 2022-2023 academic year.
“I have to admit that I still have a lot to achieve in table tennis,” Soo told the Post at the launch of her new business venture 180 Popcorn.
“I know that right now, with my nerve problem, I cannot achieve what I want, but I will begin a new treatment next week and hopefully it will improve.”
Soo has suffered from this type of focal dystonia since 2019, causing her muscles to contract and stiffen while playing, but hopes a new treatment using Botox will help.
“I’ve tried everything, including physiotherapy and pills, and nothing has helped. I’m hoping this time Botox will be different.”
