KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 — Two-time Paralympic badminton champion Cheah Liek Hou is determined to end the year on a high note, by maintaining his unbeaten streak throughout 2024.
The 36-year-old, who won every match he played this year to claim five titles, including at the Paris Paralympics, will wrap up the season after the Bahrain Para-Badminton International in Manama from December 11 to December 15.
His last defeat was nearly a year ago against compatriot Muhammad Fareez Anuar in the SU5 men’s singles finals at the Fazza Dubai Para-Badminton International in December.
“At my age now, I do not feel any pressure but all I want is to enjoy the moment and keep creating history and new records for myself. What I am always telling myself is ‘if you win one competition, you can win more and more.’
“So better to create more positive results than keep thinking about pressure. Last year I won in Bahrain, but that was level 2, this is the first time they’re hosting a level 1 tournament, so can expect a tough challenge from the world’s top players,” said Cheah, who won a record eighth Para World Championship title in February.
The para-athlete, who bagged gold in the 2020 Tokyo (held in 2021) and 2024 Paris Paralympics, said he is planning to take part in about eight tournaments in 2025, but his next major goal will be the 2026 World Championship in Bahrain and Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games in Japan.
"I will target tournaments until the 2026 Para Asian Games. Then I will see if my condition allows me to continue competing or not... If I can still challenge, strong and healthy, I will continue," he said.
Meanwhile, national men’s doubles shuttler Soh Wooi Yik said he is steadily working his way back to top form after suffering a right toe fracture during the Paris Olympics in August.
Soh, whose next tournament is the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou, China from December 11 to December 15, hopes to fare well in the season finale after being forced to miss four tournaments due to the injury.
“I am fully recovered but at this moment still in conditioning, building back my strength as reaching back the peak level is not easy, takes a few months. Hope the fans will give us some time to be back to our best form,” he said.
Earlier, Cheah received a RM10,000 incentive from the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association (KLBA) at Akademi Badminton Malaysia for his gold medal feat in Paralympics, while his coach Nova Armada gained RM2,000.
Soh received RM5,000 for defending the Olympic bronze medal with his partner Aaron Chia, while coach Hoon Thien How was awarded RM2,000 for guiding national women’s doubles Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah into the semi-finals in Paris.
Both Cheah and Soh also received solar panels sponsored by Solaroo in the ceremony held in conjunction with KLBA’s annual general meeting.
KLBA president Datuk Seri Jahaberdeen YM Mohamed Yunoos said he hopes their successes will inspire more young players to achieve new legacies, and also pledged that KLBA would continue their grassroots programmes to create new champions.
— Bernama
[caption id="attachment_381796" align="aligncenter" width="1070"]
Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association president Datuk Seri Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunos (fourth from right) with national badminton athletes and para-athletes during its incentive handover ceremony at Akademi Badminton Malaysia in Bukit Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, on December 1, 2024. — Picture by BERNAMA[/caption]
