Written By : Andrew Samuel
PETALING JAYA: The podium stars in badminton men’s singles at the 1996 Olympics, including Malaysian hero Rashid Sidek, had an unlikely reunion during the Tokyo Paralympics.
It was the first time in 25 years that Atlanta Games gold medallist Poul-Erik Hoyer (Denmark), runner-up Dong Jiong (China) and bronze winner Rashid have been together.
They have played different but meaningful roles in para badminton’s debut at the Tokyo Games.
Hoyer led the push to include the sport in the Paralympics as president of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) while Dong and Rashid are para badminton coaches.
Rashid, 53, told BWF: “It’s quite special that all three of us are here now with a special role in para badminton.”
He coached Cheah Liek Hou to win the SU5 (standing/upper limb impairment) men’s singles gold medal yesterday.
Cheah, 33, became the first para badminton gold medallist after beating Indonesia’s world No 1 Dheva Anrimusthi 21-17, 21-15.
Rashid spoke of how he was, like Hoyer and Dong, motivated to encourage more people with physical impairment to take to the court.
“It’s a new job for me and I am happy to share my knowledge and experience with the young players and to lift the standard of para badminton,” he said.
He added that he was glad to meet Hoyer and Dong with whom he had intense battles in the 90s, adding laughingly: “A lot has changed…grey hair, and all.”
Dong told BWF he bumped into Rashid whom he beat in the Olympics semi-final in Atlanta and had the casual hello, “but we were so busy doing the coaching stuff, we haven’t had time to chat.”
Rashid bounced back from his defeat to Dong to clinch the bronze with a 5-15, 15-11, 15-6 victory over Indonesia’s Hariyanto Arbi. It was Malaysia’s first ever singles medal at the Oylmpics.
Rashid, who helped Malaysia lift the Thomas Cup in 1992, has worked with several established shuttlers, including former world No 1 Lee Chong Wei.
He got into para badminton in 2019 when Cheah, then a doubles player, sought his help.
He took Cheah into his club, which is part of a junior development programme, and turned him into a singles player.
Within a few months, Cheah began performing well at international meets.
Rashid said he was proud of Cheah who showed tenacity to become a Paralympic champion.
