Cheah Liek Hou and Fareez Anuar posing with their medals with coach Nova Armada
PETALING JAYA: Fareez Anuar survived a huge scare before making it into the quarter-finals of the men’s singles SU5 (upper body impairment) in the Asian Para Games.
Debutant Fareez had to come from behind to overcome India’s Ruthick Ragupathi 17-21, 21-10, 21-17 in the round of 16 at the Binjiang Gymnasium in Hangzhou yesterday.
Fareez was relieved to come away with the win.
“I was a bit tense during the match as it was the first knockout round after the group stages,” said Fareez.
“I made some silly mistakes and it cost me the first game.
“I managed to control the second and third games better.
“I hope I can play well in the quarter-finals and make it to the last four.”
The 27-year-old will face Taiwan’s Fang Jen-yu in the last eight today.
Reigning Paralympics and world champion Cheah Liek Hou also reached the quarter-finals after sweeping aside Vietnam’s Pham Van Toi 21-9, 21-7.
Liek Hou will next play Japan’s Taiyo Imai for a semi-final berth.
It was the end of the road though for Faris Azri, who went down 10-21, 15-21 to China’s Li Mingpan.
In the men’s doubles, Liek Hou-Fareez are also through to the last eight after blowing away Nepal’s Prakash Adhikari-Hem Bahadur 21-6, 21-8.
Meanwhile, in the men’s singles WH1 (wheelchair) event, Mohd Ikhwan Ramli is assured of at least a bronze medal after booking his spot in the semi-finals.
Ikhwan defeated India’s Prem Kumar 21-18, 21-12 in the round of 16 before continuing his good form to oust Japan’s Keita Nishimura 21-13, 21-10 in the quarter-finals.
Ikhwan will take on China’s Qu Zimo in the last four today.
