KUALA LUMPUR - Tokyo Paralympic gold medallist Cheah Liek Hou believes that age will be his biggest obstacle in Paris 2024.
The 33-year-old national shuttler believes that he will face tougher competition in the next three years as his opponents are all much younger.
Despite him having a relatively easy passage in Tokyo 2020, Liek Hou said he never underestimated the ability of his opponents.
“I respect all my opponents and have never underestimated them.
“I never took them for granted, especially since they are all very young,” he said at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games athletes’ celebration ceremony, last night.
At the ceremony, which was held at the Akademi Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara, Liek Hou received an incentive of RM10,000 from the Kuala Lumpur Badminton Association (KLBA).
In Tokyo, Liek Hou won gold in the SU5 (physical impairment) category after defeating 22-year-old Indonesian top seed Dheva Anrimusthi 21-17, 21-15 in the final to create history by becoming the first Paralympic badminton men’s singles champion.
Badminton made its debut at the Tokyo Paralympics.
Liek Hou, who is also a six-time world champion, intends to make history as the para shuttler with the longest unbeaten record.
Liek Hou’s victory in Tokyo saw him extend his unbeaten run to 35 matches in all competitions since 2019.
“Hopefully, I can maintain this unbeaten record, I want to create history,” he said. – Bernama, September 21, 2021
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