KUALA LUMPUR: Two-time Paralympic champion Cheah Liek Hou’s extraordinary run this year was recognised by the Badminton World Federation (BWF) when he was bestowed the World Para Player of the Year award in Hangzhou, China, on Monday.
And it was a double celebration as Liek Hou and Fareez Anuar also won the World Para Pair of the Year award at the world governing body’s annual gala dinner.
“It is very meaningful for me because this is the first time I have received this award. I would like to thank BWF for recognising that I am one of the best athletes of 2025,” Liek Hou told BWF.
A brilliant season on the World Para Tour saw Liek Hou win five singles titles and seven men’s doubles titles, four of which were captured with Fareez.
However, Malaysia’s leading doubles pairs missed out on the main awards categories.
Men’s doubles world No. 2 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and world No. 4 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, women’s doubles world No. 2 Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah, and mixed doubles world champions Chen Tang Jie-Toh Ee Wei were the other Malaysian nominees in their respective categories.
China‘s Shi Yu Qi and South Korean An Se Young were the biggest winners, sweeping two awards each.
Yu Qi claimed the Men’s Singles Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year honours, while Se Young also secured both awards in the women’s category.
South Korean world champions Kim Won Ho-Seo Seung Jae were named the top pair in the men’s doubles category, while China‘s Liu Sheng Shu-Tan Ning captured the women’s doubles honour.
Thailand’s Dechapol Puavaranukroh-Supissara Paewsampran were named the top pair in the mixed doubles category.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
