THERE is no break for the strong.
Fresh from winning the Spanish Para-Badminton International Championships last month, Cheah Liek Hou is back to the grind again.
The World No 2 in the SU5 category (upper body disability) will report for quarantine-based training at the National Sports Council (NSC) on Sunday with his coach Rashid Sidek as they gear up for the Tokyo Paralympics in August.
Former international Rashid pointed out that fitness is most crucial to Liek Hou if he wants to win the Paralympic gold medal.
"We must accept the fact that things are not like what they used to be before because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Quarantine takes up most of our time, and it also affects our fitness as training programmes are disrupted.
"After returning from Spain, we were quarantined for 14 days. Liek Hou and I are now in our homes, but on Sunday, we have to report for quarantine-based training already.
"It is not easy, but we don't have a choice. Consider it a small sacrifice," Rashid told Timesport.
Liek Hou has been going great guns this season and is one of the favourites for a podium finish in Tokyo.
However, Rashid does not want his charge to get carried away.
"Yes, Liek Hou is enjoying a great run in form, but bear in mind, his biggest rivals from Indonesia (Suryo Nugroho and World No 1 Dheva Anrimusthi) were not there in Spain.
"If you ask me, these are the guys standing in between Liek Hou and the Paralympic gold.
"My advice to Liek Hou is to stay focused and never underestimate anybody," added Rashid.
On whether Liek Hou will join the training programme at the Academy Badminton Malaysia (ABM) in Bukit Kiara, Rashid said: "For now, not yet. But we might if the NSC decide for us to train there.
"I still have more than two months to get Liek Hou up to his best."