PETALING JAYA: It is not every day that independent men’s singles coach Nova Armada gets to stand tall and celebrate a rare double success by his charges.
That moment came on Sunday when Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin and Cheah Liek Hou completed remarkable comebacks to emerge champions in Vietnam and Japan respectively.
World No. 91 Aidil stunned top seed and world No. 33 Jason Teh of Singapore 21-16, 21-14 to capture his maiden World Tour title and end a title drought stretching back to the Sri Lanka International Challenge in March last year.
Nova said the victory would be a huge boost to the 26-year-old Aidil’s morale as he has been working hard to rebuild his confidence in recent months following his poor showing at the Thomas Cup Finals in Denmark.
“It has been tough for Aidil since the Thomas Cup. It really affected him mentally,” said Nova.
“So for the past three months we have been working on it. Aidil has the drive and hunger to do it.
“With additional sponsors coming on board, it’s a good step forward for him. It’s not only about what he does on court but outside of it as well. He’s motivated.”
Nova wishes to see Aidil break into the top 30 soon. “The past few months have been intense for Aidil and he has finally gotten a win in Vietnam. But I believe he can achieve bigger success. I hope to see him break into the top 30,” he said.
While Aidil lifted the trophy in Ho Chi Minh City, Nova was with para badminton ace Liek Hou in Tokyo as he won the men’s SU5 singles and doubles title with teammate Mohd Faris Ahmad Azri in the Para Japan Open at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
Liek Hou sent early warning shots for the Para Asian Games in Nagoya from Oct 18-24 as he aims to retake his double gold last won at the 2014 Incheon edition.
“Liek Hou is right on track for the Para Asian Games (in Nagoya from Oct 18-24). He didn’t compete for a few months after winning the double at the French Para Badminton International in June,” said Nova. “But based on his performance in Tokyo, I believe he is at the right level for Nagoya next month.”
The 38-year-old Liek Hou defeated home shuttler Taiyo Imai 21-13, 21-11, before he partnered Faris to beat Indian-Singaporean pair Chirag Baretha-Tay Wei Ming 21-15, 21-15.
