A long-standing partnership has produced another gold medal for Malaysia. Bernama reports that at the 2026 Asian Para Games, Liek Hou won his third SU5 gold medal with Mohamad Faris, and the headline stresses that it has come after 12 years. I have only seen the headline, so I do not know the final score or the opponents.
SU5 is a classification in para-badminton for players with upper-limb impairments, and doubles partnerships in the sport often develop over many years. A third gold with the same partner, spread over 12 years, suggests remarkable consistency and a strong understanding on court. Doubles requires coordination, communication and trust, and long partnerships can be an advantage.
The medal adds to Malaysia's tally at the Games in Aichi-Nagoya, which has included Zuhairie Ahmad Tarmizi's gold in the cycling time trial, Bonnie Bunyau Gustin's powerlifting gold and a swimming gold with a Games record for Muhammad Nur Syaiful Zulkafli. At the same time, the national para-cycling camp has had a barren third day, showing that results vary from one discipline to another.
For fans, the success is a good moment to celebrate para athletes, whose training schedules and challenges are often less visible than those of other sportspeople. Supporting para sport can mean following the competitions, encouraging local clubs to include para athletes and advocating for accessible facilities. Congratulations to the pair and their coaches. Watch for further results from Malaysia's badminton, swimming, cycling and athletics teams as the Games continue, and for statements from the sports minister about funding.
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