PETALING JAYA: The evergreen Cheah Liek Hou is competing in his ninth Asean Para Games but is showing little signs of slowing down.
Liek Hou stayed in the hunt for two golds after smashing into the men’ singles and doubles SU5 (upper body impairment) finals.
In the singles, the 37-year-old, who made his debut in the Games in the 2003 edition, overcame Indonesia’s Suryo Nugroho 21-19, 17-21, 21-18 in a hard-fought last four clash.
Liek Hou will take on long-time rival Dheva Anrimusthi of Indonesia for the title today.
In the doubles, the two-time Paralympic champion combined superbly with Faris Azri to beat Suryo-Oddie Kurnia 21-13, 21-13 to set up a meeting with Dheva-Hafizh Briliansyah.
Liek Hou’s coach Nova Armada was pleased with Liek Hou’s performance.
“It was a good win for Liek Hou over Suryo. Faris also did well in the doubles,” said Nova.
“The finals though won’t be easy especially in the doubles. I don’t want to put too much pressure on them.
“Hopefully, both can continue their form in the finals.”
Liek Hou is looking for his seventh gold in the singles and sixth in the doubles.
Meanwhile, it was also double joy for Mohd Ikhwan Ramli after he reached the singles and doubles finals in the (WH1) wheelchair category.
Ikhwan will face Thailand’s Homhual Jakarin for the gold and together with Noor Azwan Noorlan, they will meet Agung Widodo-Surpiadi.
Ikhwan will be out to capture his third consecutive gold in the singles and fourth in the doubles.
Malaysians only
Men’s singles SU5: Cheah Liek Hou bt Suryo Nugroho (Ina) 21-19, 17-21, 21-18; Dheva Anrimusthi (Ina) bt Amyrul Yazid Sibi 21-13, 21-10.
Men’s doubles SU5: Cheah Liek Hou-Faris Azri bt Suryo Nugroho-Oddie Kurnia (Ina) 21-13, 21-13.
Men’s singles WH1: Mohd Ikhwan Ramli bt Agung Widodo (Ina) 21-8, 21-10; Andri Wiwin (Ina) bt Noor Azwan Noorlan (Ina) 21-15, 21-9.
Men’s doubles WH1: Mohd Ikhwan Ramli-Noor Azwan Noorlan bt Jakarin Homhual-Kittichai Rakjaingam (Tha) 22-20, 15-21, 21-5.
