KUALA LUMPUR: Defending champion Cheah Liek Hou hopes to meet fellow Malaysian Fareez Anuar in the final of the men’s singles SU5 category (physical impairment) of the Paralympic Games in Paris.
Liek Hou said having an all-Malaysian final would create history for badminton, which made its debut at the Tokyo Paralympics 2020.
“If the draw is favourable, it would be nice to have an all-Malaysian final. Fareez knows my style and weaknesses because we train together,” said Liek Hou.
“He is progressing well. I share my experience with him, in terms of game play and stroke. So, he can be an underdog and perform well.’’
Liek Hou, the world number one, partners world number four Fareez in the doubles and they have never met in the final of an international tournament.
However, the eight-time world champion said he was not taking other challengers lightly, especially world number two Fang Jen-Yu of Taiwan.
The 36-year-old Liek Hou has beaten Jen-Yu in all the finals they met this year - Spain I and II Para Badminton International Challenge and Four-Nation International Para Badminton Championship in Scotland.
He said it was hard to gauge the form of his archrival and world number three Dheva Anrimusthi of Indonesia as he is struggling with injury this year.
Liek Hou hopes that attending the final training camp at the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil could strengthen him physically and heal his back injury.
The Paris Paralympics will be held from Aug 28 to Sept 8.
