Liek Hou enters semis as Math teacher retires injured

All over: Didin Taresoh in action against Brazil’s Vitor Goncalves Tavares. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Shuttler Cheah Liek Hou stormed into the semi-finals in style but Didin Taresoh limped out in pain.

The 33-year-old Liek Hou, who is Malaysia’s hope for a gold in badminton, defeated Fang Jen-yu of Taiwan 21-13, 21-19 in 27 minutes to record his second successive win in Group B at the Yoyogi National Stadium yesterday to assure a ticket to the last four.

If not for the draught in the stadium, Liek Hou could have ended the match much quicker in the men’s SU5 (upper limb impairment).

He hopes to beat Japan’s Taiyo Imai next to emerge as the group champion, which will see him enter the semi-finals as the second seed.

Only the top two in each group advance to the last four.

The top two favourites to enter the semi-finals from Group B are Liek Hou’s Indonesian rivals – Dheva Anrismuthi and Suryo Nugroho.

Liek Hou was delighted to move into the semis although he was not happy with his game.

“The facilities at this venue is fantastic but it was quite windy inside today and it was hard to control the shuttle... it was not the best condition. Fortunately, I managed to handle the situation better than the Taiwanese,” said Liek Hou.

“I will have to get the better of the Japanese to be the second seed – that’s the goal.

“Now that I’m in the semi-finals, it’s just getting more exciting.”

While Liek Hou lived up to his billing as the most consistent para shuttler this year, Mathematics teacher Didin’s dream was crushed within five hours.

The 46-year-old, who is the oldest player, went down 20-22, 10-21 to 22-year-old Krishna Nagar in the opening men’s singles SH6 (short stature) Group B match.

He was back four hours later to face Vitor Goncalves Tavares of Brazil but his knee gave way and retired from the match 13-21, 13-18.

With two defeats, Didin’s challenge has ended and naturally, he was disappointed.

“I could not cope playing in two matches with just a few hours rest in between. I had pushed myself hard against Krishna in the opening game and I guess, it affected my knee,” said Didin.

“I tried to push against the Brazilian but I could not move because of my knee and eventually I gave up.”

Coach Datuk Rashid Sidek said: “It was hard for Didin, 46, to play two matches in a day. All his opponents are much younger and faster. Liek Hou however, has made it to the semis as planned and we hope he will go all the way.”

World No. 1 Jack Shephard suffered a hiccup yesterday in the short stature event when he lost 12-21, 10-21 to teammate Krysten Coombs in a Group A match. He now has to beat Chu Man Kai of Hong Kong today to reach the semi-finals.