PETALING JAYA: Two-time Paralympic gold medallist Cheah Liek Hou wants to cap off a flawless 2024 by maintaining his unbeaten streak as the year comes to an end.
Winning every match he has played this year, the 36-year-old shuttler has won five titles, including the Paris Paralympics, and is eyeing another win at the Bahrain Para Badminton International from Dec 11-15.
The Kuala Lumpur-born Liek Hou said at his age, stepping into the court is more about savouring the moment than to be bombarded with pressure to perform.
“At my age right now I don’t feel any pressure, I just try to enjoy the moments in each match and create more history and records for myself,” he said.
Well deserved: Cheah Liek Hou (left) and Soh Wooi Yik posing with their mock cheques after receiving their incentives from the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association. — Bernama
“I always tell myself that if I win one, I can win even more. So it’s better that I create more positive results rather than think about pressure.’’
Liek Hou added that he intends to compete in roughly eight or nine tournaments in 2025, but his eyes are locked on the 2026 Asian Para Games in Japan.
“My target is to condition myself until the 2026 Asian Para Games. After that, if my condition allows me to continue competing, maybe I’ll keep going,” he said.
Liek Hou was the recipient of RM10,000 from the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association (KLBA) at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) for his gold medal at the Paralympics, while his coach Nova Armada received RM2,000.
Also receiving an incentive was men’s doubles shuttler Soh Wooi Yik, who got RM5,000 after defending his bronze medal at the Paris Olympics with partner Aaron Chia.
Coach Hoon Thien How was awarded RM2,000 for guiding women’s doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah into the Paris Olympics semi-finals.
Wooi Yik, who is preparing for the World Tour Finals in Hangzhou from Dec 11-15, said he is regaining his strength after suffering a right toe injury during the Olympics.
“I can’t say that my performance is the same as it was during the Olympics, but it is slowly getting better so I hope to deliver better results.
“It’s fully recovered, but at the moment it’s all about conditioning and rebuilding my strength to be able to come back at a peak level,” he said.
Both Liek Hou and Wooi Yik also received solar panels sponsored by Solaroo during the event.
