PETALING JAYA: Malaysia won its first gold medal at the 2024 Paralympics when eight-time world champion Cheah Liek Hou defended his gold medal in the SU5 (physical impairment) men’s singles para-badminton final yesterday.
The 36-year-old secured a commanding 21-13, 21-15 victory over Indonesia’s Suryo Nugroh in just 41 minutes at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena.
After the first game, Suryo attempted a comeback but fell when chasing a point at 13-15. He received treatment and then continued the match but with more caution.
Cheah’s victory brought him a second consecutive Paralympic gold medal, having previously claimed the top spot in Tokyo in 2020.
Debutant Fareez Anuar failed to win a bronze against Indonesia’s Dheva Anrimusthi despite winning the first game 21-17.
Fareez could not maintain his momentum and lost the next two games 19-21, 12-21.