After 10 world titles, Liek Hou is now looking to win first Olympic gold

Liek Hou training at the Paralympic Sports Complex in Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur. - BRIAN MOH / The Star

KUALA LUMPUR: At first glance, a stout Cheah Liek Hou looks just like any other ordinary badminton player. 

But he isn’t. In fact, he’s extra-ordinary – having won 10 world badminton titles – over a decade.

Now, the ambitious 27-year-old para-athlete has set his mind on winning the country’s first Olympic Games gold medal when badminton is contested at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

“I have won gold medals in both the men’s singles and double events in five edition of the world meet. I’m so excited that the sport has finally been included in the Paralympics. I’m going for my first Olympic gold,” said Liek Hou.

He underlined his superiority as the country’s paralympic star when he nailed a double at the recent BWF Para-Badminton World Championships in Stoke Mandeville, England, which ended on Sept 13.

He won the men’s singles gold medal in the SU5 class (standing upper 5, shoulder disability) by beating Bartlomiej Mroz of Poland 21-16, 21-12.

And in the men’s doubles, Liek Hou and partner Hairol Fozi Saaba took the title after beating Bartlomiej Mroz-Ilker Tuzcu of Poland 18-21, 21-13, 21-16.

Malaysia also won their third gold medal in the biennial world championships through Didin Taresoh in the SS6 class, the dwarf category. He defeated Andrew Martin of England 21-13, 21-16.

Liek Hou was also a double winner in four previous editions in 2005 (Taiwan), 2007 (Thailand), 2011 (Guatemala) and 2013 (Germany).

He had come through five years of training under former world champion Han Jian at the SP Setia academy and four years under Sun Chenhua at the academy in Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS).

In fact, he even beat many able-bodied shuttlers during his junior days.

Together with Chow Pak Chuu, they won the boys’ doubles title in Division Two at the 2009 Pahang Open. At the National Junior Badminton Circuit South Zone in 2009, he nicked two titles in the boys’ singles and doubles (with Chin Chuan Jue).

Earlier, at the 2008 12th Malaysia Games in Terengganu, Liek Hou-Chuan Jue finished second to Perak’s Chow Pak Chu-Mak Hee Chun in the men’s doubles.

“I just love playing badminton. I played at the garden in my house. I played in my school and also on the street. My mom saw my deep interest and told me to turn professional when I was only nine years old!” he said.

“I did not allow my disability to stop me from playing badminton. I knew my right shoulder was weaker when I was younger but I was not bothered about it. I didn’t even tell anyone.”

The Kuala Lumpur lad was born with Erb’s palsy.

It’s an injury that happened during birth where the nerves of his upper arm was damaged during delivery.

“I only realised it when I was 15 years old. My BJSS coach, Woon Sze Mei, noticed that I could not raise my right hand and asked what had happened,” he said.

“She told me about the Para-Games. I started to play in both the disabled and able-bodied tournaments until I graduated from UPM (Universiti Putra Malaysia) with a degree in corporate communication.

“Now, I only compete in the Para-Games ... it has been a challenge but I’m loving it.

“All my former team-mates were supportive. They showed respect to disabled athletes,” said Liek Hou, who works with the Wilson’s sports equipment company’s sales and marketing team.

He said his family has been a pillar of strength for him and he also saluted coaches Moe Chin Keat and Abdul Rani Jaafar for their dedication and guidance.

“I’ll continue playing badminton as long as I can hold the racquet and run,” said Liek Hou, who promised to inspire others like him to take up the sport.