KUALA LUMPUR: Two-time Paralympic champion Cheah Liek Hou admitted age may be catching up with him after suffering defeats in both the men's singles and doubles SU5 finals at the Asean Para Games in Nakhon Ratchasima on Sunday.
The defending champion was subdued 21-19, 21-15 by Indonesia's Dheva Andrimusthi in the singles final.
Three-time world champion Dheva then teamed up with Hafizh Brylliansyah to beat Liek Hou-Faris Azri 21-15, 21-11 in the doubles decider.
At 38, Liek Hou conceded that recovery has become a challenge, particularly against the younger Dheva, 28, who enjoyed a slight physical edge.
Liek Hou was pushed to three games in his semi-final win over Indonesia's Suryo Nugroho on Saturday, prevailing 21-19, 17-21, 21-18 — a match that may have taken its toll.
"Age is one of the reasons it takes longer to recover after a tough match," said Liek Hou.
"I haven't had good sleep or proper rest over the past few days and that didn't help.
"There are no injuries bothering me — it's just exhaustion. I hope to rest and bounce back at the Para World Championships, which are about 12 days away."
Liek Hou added that while he will compete in both events at the major tournament in Bahrain from Feb 7-14, his priority remains the singles.
"I'm playing both events, but the priority is to defend my singles gold," he said.
The Malaysian, who defeated Dheva in last year's final, is set for another showdown with his Indonesian rival as he bids for a ninth singles gold at the Para World Championships.
