It’s okay: Fareez Anuar saying sorry to his coach Nova Armada after losing to Indonesia’s Dheva Anrimusthi in the bronze medal playoff. — Bernama
NATIONAL badminton coach Nova Armada sorely missed the bronze medal that the country’s men’s singles SU5 (physical disability) player Mohd Fareez Anuar could have delivered to complete a double success for Malaysia at the Paris Paralympic Games.
Right after champion Cheah Liek Hou defended the gold in the same event by defeating Suryo Nugroho from Indonesia 21-13, 21-15 on court one of Porte de La Chapelle Arena, Nova honestly hoped that Fareez would be able to bring home the bronze.
However, the opposite result happened when Fareez was unable to hold on to his lead in the first set, 21-17, before succumbing to the rise of Dheva Anrimusthi of Indonesia who took the bronze by prevailing 21-19, 21-12 in the next two sets.
“It’s a pity Fareez didn’t get a medal because I really want him to win it,” Nova said.
Although fortune did not favour the 28-year-old player, the coach from Indonesia was still proud of the performance displayed by Fareez in his first appearance at the Paralympic Games, especially when he emerged as the champion of Group B, which was considered a ‘’group of death’’.
Fareez started the campaign in the group by shocking second seed Fang Jen-yu of Taiwan 21-14, 21-18 before making two impressive comebacks to beat Dheva 14-21, 21-19, 21-19 and Japan’s Taiyo Imai 17-21, 21-17, 21-17.
In the semi-finals, the world No. 4 then had to come to terms with Suryo’s deftness when he lost 12-21, 21-14, 6-21.
In the meantime, Nova is grateful that Liek Hou’s hard work leading up to the 2024 Paralympic Games has been worth it, thus ensuring that the gold remains with Malaysia.
“Our preparations have been challenging over the past three years, putting up a plan was not easy as Liek Hou also sustained an injury.
“However, when he arrived here Liek Hou’s condition was quite good, his game was excellent, so I was very happy (Liek Hou’s success),” he said.
He was extremely proud that his charge lived up to his top billing and won the gold for two consecutive editions after Tokyo 2020. — Bernama
