It was the second such cancellation announced this week, after Kento Momota of Japan, world number one in the men’s singles category, withdrew from the tournaments for the same reason.

Octaviani, a doctor with the Indonesian Badminton Association’s (PBSI) national training camp program, told badmintonindonesia.org that Kevin had noticed he was unable to taste or smell on Dec. 20, 2020, and had experienced the onset of mild flu-like symptoms. He was tested at Mitra Keluarga Hospital, where the diagnosis was made.

He self-isolated at home and underwent later tests that returned the same results. “He was tested twice at the Mitra Keluarga Hospital in Kelapa Gading, on Dec. 28 and 31, and both results showed that he had contracted the virus,” Octaviani said.

In response to the positive results, the PBSI decided to exclude the 25-year-old from the Thai tournaments. “Thanks for all the moral support and kind attention. This has been a warning for me to be more vigilant in the future,” Kevin said. The shuttler’s men’s doubles partner, Marcus Fernaldi Gideon, has also dropped out of the Thai tournaments, citing his lack of a partner.

Coach Herry Iman Pierngadi said that while Kevin had since tested negative, he would not allow him to compete in the tournaments for physical fitness reasons. “These will be the most physically challenging tournaments for our players. His physical condition is obviously not ready for this,” said Herry, the head coach for men’s doubles.

He acknowledged that there had been a delay in announcing Kevin’s positive test results, claiming the information was withheld solely to keep a fighting spirit among team members. He said all the players had promised they would still give 100 percent despite Kevin and Marcus’ absence.

The Indonesian squad is slated to participate in three tournaments that will be held at the Impact Arena in Bangkok. The first two tournaments, the Thailand Yonex Open, will be held from Jan. 12 to 17, and the Thailand Toyota Open will be held from Jan. 19 to 24. The top eight singles and doubles players from those tournaments will enter the Final BWF Tour 2020, which will be held from Jan. 27 to 31.

PBSI sport development head Rionny Mainaky said the Thailand tournaments would be a major testing ground for all players in preparation for the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“We will play with extra caution and great discipline in applying health protocols. All players have been tested and the results are negative. We need it to stay that way,” he said. The Indonesian squad left for Thailand on Monday. World number one Kento Momota previously withdrew from the Thai tournaments.

“Momota has tested positive for the coronavirus, and the association has decided not to send any players, including Momota, to Thailand,” a Japan badminton association official told AFP.

Momota was hoping to make an international comeback in Bangkok after almost a year out of competition following a car crash that left him with serious injuries.

Japanese national broadcaster NHK said the 26-year-old had tested positive at Narita International Airport before the Japanese team’s departure for Thailand.

An association official confirmed that none of the other 22 Japanese players had tested positive but said the entire team would withdraw nonetheless. The shuttler made no immediate comment on his social media accounts about the diagnosis.

Momota won the All-Japan championships last week in his first competition since his accident last January, when a vehicle taking him to the airport after he won the Malaysia Masters crashed, killing the driver.

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