Cheah Liek Hou isn't just winning; he's writing a new chapter in Malaysian sports history, solidifying his status as an undisputed legend with a breathtaking double gold at the recent World Championships. The para-badminton maestro continues to defy expectations, setting new benchmarks for athletic greatness.
Key Highlights from Manama
- Cheah Liek Hou clinched a historic "golden double" at the World Championships in Manama, Bahrain.
- His 9th men's singles title now officially surpasses squash icon Datuk Nicol David's record of eight individual world crowns.
- With an incredible 16 world titles overall, he stands as Malaysia's most decorated individual athlete in any sport.
- The 38-year-old maestro is already setting his sights on gold at the upcoming Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games and the prestigious 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics.
Liek Hou's Golden Double in Bahrain
The Kuala Lumpur-born shuttler put on a masterclass performance in Manama, securing two coveted gold medals. In the men's singles SU5 final, Liek Hou displayed dominant form, dismantling Taiwan's world No. 3 Fang Jen Yu with a commanding 21-6, 21-11 victory. This emphatic win marked his ninth individual world championship.
Not content with just one title, Liek Hou returned to the court to compete in the men's doubles. Partnering with Faris Ahmad Azri, the Malaysian duo delivered another stunning upset. They triumphed over Taiwan's world No. 3 pair, Jen Yu and Pu Gui Yu, in a thrilling 23-21, 21-13 encounter, completing a sensational golden double.
Beyond the Court: A New Malaysian Sporting Benchmark
These twin triumphs push Cheah Liek Hou's overall world title count to an astounding 16. More significantly, his ninth singles crown sees him officially surpass the legendary Datuk Nicol David, who held the record with eight individual squash world titles. This achievement firmly cements Liek Hou's place as Malaysia's most decorated individual athlete.
"These wins are a massive Chinese New Year gift to myself," an overjoyed Liek Hou shared. "I'm incredibly proud that at 38, I can still claim two World Championships titles and break Datuk Nicol David's incredible record with my ninth singles triumph." His longevity and relentless pursuit of excellence are truly inspiring.
Eyeing More Milestones: Asian Para Games and LA 2028
The relentless drive of Cheah Liek Hou shows no signs of slowing down. His immediate focus is now firmly set on the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games in October. Having previously secured five gold medals at the Asian Para Games – three in singles and two in doubles – Liek Hou is determined to reclaim singles gold after settling for silver in Hangzhou 2022.
Looking further ahead, the para-shuttler has an ambitious target: the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics. While acknowledging the challenges, Liek Hou remains pragmatic. "Next year marks the start of the Paralympic qualification period," he noted. "My goal is to make it to the 2028 Games, but I'm approaching it step by step, focusing on my performance and condition this year." His journey continues to captivate and inspire.
