KUALA LUMPUR: National para shuttler Muhammad Fareez Anuar is expected to reach an elite level similar to two-time Paralympic champion Cheah Liek Hou within the next two years. This confidence was expressed by coach Nova Armada, who noted that Muhammad Fareez has been training alongside Liek Hou, the gold medallist of the 2020 and 2024 Paralympics, with the main difference being in speed and skills.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Indonesian coach added that Muhammad Fareez is also being targeted for a gold medal at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, before aiming for his second Paralympic appearance at the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics (LA28). He said that the 28-year-old athlete is on the right track to become a formidable contender, especially against his main rival, Indonesia’s Dheva Anrimusthi, given his current age.

In his debut at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Muhammad Fareez’s hopes of securing a medal for Malaysia fell short after losing to Dheva in the men’s singles SU5 (physical
impairment) bronze medal match at the Porte de La Chapelle Arena last September.