Cheah Liek Hou clinched Malaysia’s first gold medal at the 2024 Paralympics by successfully defending his title in the SU5 men’s singles para-badminton final yesterday. An eight-time world champion, Cheah’s victory added to his impressive legacy.
The 36-year-old athlete achieved a decisive triumph with a score of 21-13, 21-15 against Indonesia’s Suryo Nugroh in a swift 41-minute match held at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena. Cheah Liek Hou’s commanding performance not only showcased his exceptional skill but also underscored his dominance in para-badminton, solidifying his status as a world-class competitor.
Following the first game, Suryo made an effort to mount a comeback but stumbled while pursuing a point at 13-15. After receiving medical attention, he resumed play, though with increased caution.
Cheah Liek Hou’s win secured him a second successive Paralympic gold medal, enhancing his already impressive record. His victory builds on his earlier achievement at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, where he first claimed the gold in the SU5 men’s singles para-badminton event. This recent success reaffirms his dominance in the sport and showcases his consistent performance at the highest level of competition.
Debutant Fareez Anuar was unable to clinch the bronze medal against Indonesia’s Dheva Anrimusthi, despite starting strong with a 21-17 win in the first game. Unfortunately, Fareez lost his momentum and went on to lose the following two games, with scores of 19-21 and 12-21.
After Cheah’s triumph, our esteemed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim extended his congratulations today, acknowledging Cheah’s achievement in securing Malaysia’s first gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games yesterday. In a post on the X platform today, he expressed pride in Cheah’s accomplishment, highlighting how it has elevated Malaysia’s presence on the global stage.
Kita beroleh pingat emas pertama di #Paralympic2024!
Lebih membanggakan kerana saudara Cheah Liek Hou berjaya mempertahankan pingat emas yang dirangkul pada Paralimpik lalu.
Tahniah! Saudara mengharumkan nama Malaysia di persada dunia!#KitaSemuaTeamMAS https://t.co/srrDqbM0ZR
— Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) September 2, 2024
Cheah Liek Hou’s remarkable achievement at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, marked by his successful defense of the SU5 men’s singles title, not only affirms his status as a dominant force in para-badminton but also proudly positions Malaysia on the global sporting map.
Source: Free Malaysia Today, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim X
