Didi: I’ll play on until 60!

PETALING JAYA: At 46, former para shuttler Didin Taresoh has no plans to hang up his racquet.

The 2015 world men’s singles SH6 (short stature) champion said he still have a few more good years left in him.

And he has set his sights on retaining the Asean Para Games gold in Hanoi, Vietnam next year.

Didin remains in high spirit despite a forgettable debut in Tokyo which saw him crashed out in the group stage after picking up a right knee injury.

“The Paralympics was my first and last. But it’s not the end of my career,” said Didin, who is a Maths teacher.

“I intend to represent the country for as long as I can. By staying competitive, I get to keep my health and fitness in check, it’s like killing two birds with one stone.

“I’m still good at regional level and I’m motivated to defend my gold at the Asean Para Games. I didn’t get to do it in Manila because it was cancelled, so there’s a reason for me to continue playing.

“If I manage to defend the gold, then I’ll keep playing. My target is to remain on court until there’s someone who can beat me at the Games.

“If I’m still unbeatable, I’ll continue until 60!”

Didin captured the world title in Stoke Mandeville, England, in 2015 before adding a bronze in Ulsan, South Korea, two years later.

Besides being the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games gold medallist, Didin is also the runner-up at the 2018 Indonesian Asian Para Games.

Didin will not return to Tokyo for the World Para-Badminton Championships from Oct 26-31 as he tends to his injury.

At the last world meet in Basel two years ago, Didin missed out on his third successive podium after going down to Englan’d world No. 1 Jack Shephard in the quarter-finals.