PETALING JAYA: Para shuttler Cheah Liek Hou (pic) was thrilled to be honoured with the Best Para Athlete award at the Sportswriters Association of Malaysia (SAM)-100Plus awards on Tuesday.
The reigning Paralympics champion sees it as a timely morale booster ahead of the Asian Para Games from Oct 22-28 in Hangzhou.
Liek Hou, who captured the World Championships title in the men’s singles SU5 (upper body impairment) in Tokyo last year, was selected ahead of powerlifting champion Bonnie Bunyau Gustin, Nani Shahiera Zawawi (athletics) and swimmers Brenda Anellia Larry and Carmen Lim.
The 35-year-old was also named the Best Male Paralympian at the National Sports Awards in July.
“I feel happy and proud to win both these awards in the same year,” said Liek Hou.
“These are the top awards to win in Malaysia and most athletes will be hoping to win these together.
“It’s also not easy to win both as there are so many competitive candidates involved,” said Liek Hou, who vowed to use the award as motivation for the Asiad and his other upcoming tournaments.
“This award is a boost for me for the Asiad and my other competitions.
“This is a crucial period for me with the 2024 Paralympics in Paris also coming up next year.
“Before the Asiad, I will be competing in the Australian International from Oct 2-6 in Perth.
“I need to continue to train hard and maintain my condition for these assignments.
“I hope everything goes smoothly for me after this.”
Liek Hou is currently in good form after capturing three back-to-back titles at the Bahrain and Canada Internationals in May and June respectively and the Four Nations International in Sheffield, England, three weeks ago.
He is the favourite to regain the gold medal at the Asian Para Games after winning bronze in the last edition in 2018 in Jakarta.
Liek Hou’s main challengers for the crown will be his arch nemesis Dheva Anrimusthi of Indonesia and the latter’s compatriot Suryo Nugroho.
