KUCHING: National squash player Harith Danial is refusing to let an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury derail his ambitions, opting for patience over haste as he works towards a return to competition.
The Miri-born player suffered the injury during the Singapore Challenger final on July 26, when he suddenly felt intense pressure in his leg and subsequently lost sensation in it.
“I knew something wasn’t right and unfortunately I wasn’t able to continue the match,” he said.
After returning to Malaysia, Harith underwent further medical checks and an MRI scan, which confirmed that the injury was serious enough to require surgery.
The setback has forced the athlete to put competition aside temporarily, but he remains motivated by the achievements he still hopes to pursue in squash.
“What keeps me motivated is knowing that I still have a lot that I want to achieve in squash,” he told the Sarawak Tribune when contacted recently.
Rather than focusing too far ahead, 20-year-old Harith said he is concentrating on his rehabilitation one step at a time and maintaining a positive mindset throughout the process.
“I truly believe that I can come back stronger from this injury,” he said.
The injury has also given him a different perspective on the demands of being an athlete, particularly the need to be patient when competition and training have to take a back seat.
“As an athlete, you always want to compete and keep improving, but sometimes you have to accept that recovery is also part of the journey,” he said.
The two-time SEA Games gold medallist said his immediate priority is to complete his rehabilitation properly and ensure he is physically and mentally ready before returning to competition.
He is not setting a specific comeback date yet, saying he does not want to rush the recovery process.
“I’d rather come back when I’m fully ready than rush myself back into competition too early,” he said.
While there has been a target for him to potentially return in time for next year’s SEA Games, Harith stressed that his health and recovery remain his priority.
“For now my health and recovery come first,” he said.
Harith added that he is taking the rehabilitation process step by step and monitoring how his body responds, with the aim of making a full and properly prepared return to the court.
