Nova relishes rare double as Aidil, Liek Hou cap comebacks
Badminton coach Nova Armada celebrated a rare double success as his players Aidil Sholeh and Cheah Liek Hou secured tournament victories in Vietnam and Japan. These wins mark significant career milestones and momentum for the athletes ahead of upcoming international games.
Why it matters
Success in international sports tournaments boosts athlete morale and national standing in competitive badminton circuits.
PETALING JAYA: It is not every day that independent men’s singles coach Nova Armada gets to stand tall and celebrate a rare double success by his charges.
That moment came on Sunday when Aidil Sholeh Ali Sadikin and Cheah Liek Hou completed remarkable comebacks to emerge champions in Vietnam and Japan respectively.
World No. 91 Aidil stunned top seed and world No. 33 Jason Teh of Singapore 21-16, 21-14 to capture his maiden World Tour title and end a title drought stretching back to the Sri Lanka International Challenge in March last year.
Nova said the victory would be a huge boost to the 26-year-old Aidil’s morale as he has been working hard to rebuild his confidence in recent months following his poor showing at the Thomas Cup Finals in Denmark.
“It has been tough for Aidil since the Thomas Cup. It really affected him mentally,” said Nova.
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