National para badminton ace Cheah Liek Hou made a successful return to competition by capturing two gold medals at the French Para Badminton International in Mulhouse.
The Paralympic champion, who had been sidelined for nearly three months due to a thumb injury, showed little sign of rust as he claimed both the men's singles SU5 and men's doubles titles.
Liek Hou's path to the singles crown was far from straightforward. The Malaysian dropped the opening game against Taiwan's Fang Jen-yu before responding strongly to secure a 16-21, 21-9, 21-13 victory and lift the title.
He later completed a memorable double when he teamed up with Mohd Faris Ahmad Azri to defeat Taiwan's Fang Jen-yu and Pu Gui-yu 21-10, 13-21, 21-16 in the men's doubles final.
The achievement continues an impressive season for Liek Hou, who also secured doubles success at the World Championships earlier this year and has consistently remained among the leading figures in the SU5 category.
The 38-year-old admitted he had concerns before travelling to France as his left thumb had not fully recovered. However, the tournament proved to be a timely confidence boost after an extended period away from competition.
Liek Hou was particularly encouraged by his ability to quickly regain his rhythm despite the lengthy absence, describing the victories as an important step in his return to full fitness.
With the French campaign successfully completed, attention now turns to the Asian Para Games in Japan, which has become one of his major targets. The latest triumph suggests the veteran remains a serious contender on the international stage despite ongoing injury challenges.
For Malaysian para badminton, Liek Hou's performance serves as another reminder of the champion's enduring quality and determination as he continues to add to an already remarkable career.
