Missing out: Cheah Liek Hou fell to Indonesia’s Dheva Anrimusthi in the men’s singles final at the Asian Para Games yesterday. — Bernama
SHUTTLER Cheah Liek Hou’s hopes of regaining the gold in the men’s singles SU5 (upper limb impairment) in the Asian Para Games were dashed by his old nemesis.
Reigning Paralympics and para world champion Liek Hou went down fighting 21-18, 19-21, 17-21 to Indonesia’s Dheva Anrimusthi in the final at the Binjiang Gymnasium in Hangzhou yesterday.
Dheva had also denied Liek Hou in the semi-finals of the previous edition in Jakarta in 2018.
The 35-year-old Liek Hou last won the gold in the 2014 Games in Incheon, South Korea.
“I’m a bit disappointed as I was on the back foot in the second game and I could not finish it off,” said Liek Hou.
“Maybe I was too desperate to win the gold and ended up making many unforced errors.
“Luck also favoured Dheva today (yesterday). He made a few lucky shots.
“I have to accept this result and come back stronger in my next tournament.”
Despite missing out on the gold, Liek Hou believes that he is still on the right track for the 2024 Paris Paralympics.
“Based on my overall performance in Hangzhou, I believe I’m on the right track,” said Liek Hou.
“There are some things that I need to improve on, like coping better in competition venues where the shuttle is very slow like it was here.”
For now, Liek Hou refused to rule out trying again to win the gold in the next Games.
He will turn 38 when the next Games rolls around in 2026 in Nagoya, Japan.
“I’m not very sure yet if I can compete in 2026 as there is still another three years until then,” said Liek Hou.
“For now, my focus is on the Paralympics next year.”
Meanwhile, Mohd Amin Burhanuddin also had to settle for silver in the men’s singles SL4 (lower limb impairment).
Amin lost out 21-13, 18-21, 9-21 to India’s Suhas Yathiraj in the final.
SU5
Men’s singles: Dheva Anrimusthi (Ina) bt Cheah Liek Hou (Mas) 18-21, 21-19, 21-17.
SL4
Men’s singles: Suhas Yathiraj (Ind) bt Mohd Amin Burhanuddin (Mas) 13-21, 21-18, 21-9.
