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KUALA LUMPUR - Malaysia’s para badminton player Cheah Liek Hou has become more motivated than ever in his quest for glory at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in August.
Coach Datuk Rashid Sidek said Cheah’s spirits had been lifted greatly by his winning the Fazza-Dubai para badminton championship in the United Arab Emirates on April 4.
“Cheah’s chances of winning the gold in Tokyo are high, especially after he defeated his archrival, Dheva Anrimusthi of Indonesia, in Dubai recently,” he told Bernama.
World number two Cheah won the men’s singles title in the SU5 category (upper body disability) by edging the world’s top player Dheva 14-21, 22-20, 21-18 in the final in Dubai.
However, Rashid reminded Cheah not to be complacent, saying he should keep up his tough training regime, polish his skills and rectify weaknesses in his game.
He said Cheah, 33, is expected to be challenged by far younger players, who could be a threat to his golden ambition.
“I don’t want to place more pressure on him but I believe Cheah can rely on his experience when facing players who are more energetic and enthusiastic in Japan,” he added.
Rashid said a Paralympic gold would be the icing on the cake for Cheah before the six-time world champion hangs up his racket.
He hoped Cheah would keep up his momentum by winning a championship in Spain next month, before plunging into the Paralympic arena.
Rashid said apart from Cheah, the Spanish tournament would also feature another Malaysian winner in Dubai, Muhammad Ikhwan Ramli in the WH1 category (wheelchair), and Didin Taresoh in the SS6 category (dwarfs).
He said this tournament would be the last avenue for Muhammad Ikhwan and Didin to collect points in their bid to qualify for Tokyo.
Badminton will be making its debut at the Tokyo Paralympics, which will be held from Aug 24 to Sept 5. - Bernama. April 17, 2021
