KUALA LUMPUR: Para badminton star Cheah Liek Hou has once again proven he's not just a champion on the court but a champion of hearts too.
The 36-year-old clinched his second consecutive Paralympic gold medal in the men's singles SU5 (upper limb impairment) in Paris on Monday, overcoming many challenges to defend his title.
But it's not just his victory that's making headlines.
Liek Hou, who now joins the exclusive club of Malaysian athletes to claim a second RM1 million reward under the National Sports Incentive Scheme (Shakam), has vowed to donate part of his prize money to charity organisations.
"The first thing I would like to do is to donate it. I want to give back to society," Liek Hou revealed, showcasing his golden heart alongside his golden achievements.
Although he hasn't yet decided which charities will benefit, Liek Hou expressed a desire to support disabled people, old folks homes and orphanages.
This isn't the first time Liek Hou has used his winnings to help others.
After winning gold at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, he also donated part of his RM1 million reward, plus an additional RM100,000 from FWD Takaful, to charity.
Liek Hou's path to success has been anything but easy.
In late 2023, he endured a series of defeats, including a crushing loss to his younger Indonesian rival, Dheva Anrimusthi, at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games.
Many doubted whether he could bounce back, but Liek Hou silenced his critics with a remarkable comeback in early 2024, winning his eighth world title in Thailand and going on to dominate the world para-badminton circuit.
Reflecting on his victory in Paris, Liek Hou said: "I have always believed that I'm still at the top of my game. It's just that you can't be winning all the time. Every tournament presents different challenges – from venue conditions to physical readiness and strategy."
Liek Hou's determination to defend his title was further tested by the departure of his coach, Rashid Sidek, in 2022.
Despite the setback and the challenge of finding a new coach in Indonesian Nova Armada, Liek Hou remained focused and driven.
"Defending a title is more difficult than winning it," he admitted.
"The past three years were a significant struggle, especially with the coaching change.
"Some people doubted if I could defend my Paralympic gold. Now that I've won, I've proven them wrong, and it's incredibly satisfying."