Glory within reach

Teacher Didin cruises into elimination round at worlds

Shuttler Didin Taresoh (pic) soared high to reach the elimination round of the SS6 (short stature) category in the BWF-Para World Championships in Basel.

The 44-year-old Didin, who has dwarfism, completed his Group H without dropping a game and match to enter the top-16 elimination round at the St. Jakobshalle Hall.

He defeated Alexander Mekhdiev of Russia 21-17, 21-13 in the final Group H yesterday. Earlier, he had outclassed Italian Berardino Lo Chiatto 21-0, 21-1 and defeated Lee Dae-sung of South Korea 21-14, 21-16.

A draw will be conducted to decide on his third-round opponent.

It’s the first time that para world meet is held concurrently with the tournament for the able-bodied.

The school teacher from the Bongkud Primary School in Ranau, Sabah, is hoping to win his second world title in his third attempt.

“I’m happy to make the elimination round and hopefully, I can keep the winning momentum here,” said Didin.

Didin won the world title once in 2015 when he defeated England’s Andrew Martin in Stoke Mandeville, England. At the last edition in Ulsan, South Korea, he settled for a bronze medal.

“This is my third world meet and I want to finish on the podium again. The elimination round will be challenging but I’m ready,” he said.

The 31-year-old Cheah Liek Hou, who is gunning for his seventh title in the SU5 (impairment in upper body) class, faces his last Group D opponent Raj Kumar from India to complete his group matches without any defeat.

“I should beat him. I’m just keeping my fingers crossed for a favourable draw to advance further,” said Liek Hou.

He is hoping to avoid Indonesians – either top seed Dheva Anrimusthi of Indonesia or Suryo Nugroho in the semi-finals.

The other Malaysians hoping to make the elimination rounds are Mohd Faris Ahmad Azri (SU5), Muhd Huzairi Abdul Malek (SL3 standing) and Muhd Ikhwan Ramli (wheelchair).