HA NOI  (VNS) —  Weightlifter Tran Le Quoc Toan may miss the 17th Asian Games in South Korea this September.

The London Olympics' fourth-ranking athlete in the men's 56kg category has suffered a knee injury for two years that has not been treated well.

Coach Do Dinh Khang said his injury was getting worse and he may need surgery.

If he undergoes an operation, Toan will need several months to recover and will have no chance to compete at the Incheon Games.

Toan did not perform as well as expected in recent competitions, such as the Asian and world championships. He even had to stay out of the 27th SEA Games competition despite being the top title candidate. — VNS