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Defending champion hit by Dengue fever

Taufik Hidayat's participation in the Beijing Games is in doubt.
Taufik Hidayat's participation in the Beijing Games is in doubt.

Defending Olympic badminton champion Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia has been hospitalised with dengue fever and is not certain to defend his title at next month's Beijing Games.

'I'm still sick, please ask the doctor,' Taufik told Reuters by telephone on Monday when asked whether he would be able to play.

His manager said the 26-year-old Taufik should still make it to Beijing.

'His condition now is weak but he's getting better,' said Mulyo Handoyo.

Taufik, known for his fiery outbursts on court, skipped the Indonesian national sports week this month in a bid to avoid injuries before the Olympics.

Indonesia is expected to send 24 athletes to Beijing, mostly in the badminton team.

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