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Liew dares to dream again after Polish Open success

National singles shuttler Liew Daren pose for a picture with fans waiting for the Malaysia Thomas Cup team's arrival at KLIA last year after they finished runner-up to Japan in the final. - Filepic
National singles shuttler Liew Daren pose for a picture with fans waiting for the Malaysia Thomas Cup team's arrival at KLIA last year after they finished runner-up to Japan in the final. - Filepic


KUALA LUMPUR: Winning the Polish Open was worth more than money for Liew Daren.
On Saturday, the 27-year-old Daren scored a convincing 21-15, 21-11 win over Emil Holst of Denmark in the men’s singles final of the International Challenge in Arlamow to end his three-year title drought. Daren, the winner of the 2012 French Open Superseries, picked up €1,100 (RM4,416) for his efforts.

Malaysia enjoyed a double delight when Chan Peng Soon-Goh Liu Ying emerged champions in the mixed doubles event after a hard-fought 28-26, 21-18 win over India’s Akshay Dewalkar-Pradnya Gadre.

Daren was happy that he finally nailed a title – albeit a minor one.
“It is not about the prize money or the profile of the tournament. It is about me overcoming years of failures – too many of them, in fact. I hope things will be better from now on,” said Daren.
Daren’s other hope is to not repeat his past mistakes.

“I could not cope with the pressure. I am more experienced now. I intend to manage both the highs and lows in a better way.

“The road ahead will not be easy, but I am feeling more motivated now. I want to keep on improving.”

He is also grateful to those who stood by him when he was down in the dumps.
“Despite my past failures, some people still stood by me. They kept supporting me, especially my parents (Liew Kim Wah and Woo Yoke Bee), my brother Liew Gavin and his wife (Leong Yee Hsin),” he said.

“I must thank my team of coaches Rashid Sidek, Tey Seu Bock, Hendrawan and Wong Tat Meng too. Without them, I think I would have given up the sport a long time ago,” added the world No. 78. 
On his next assignment at the Malaysian Open Superseries in Bukit Jalil from March 31-April 5, Daren has taken a realistic approach.

“It will be tough from the start as I will be playing in the qualifying tournament. But there is a chance for me to make the main draw,” said Daren, whose best result in his home Open was reaching the quarter-finals in 2013.

The men’s singles event has attracted all the world’s top guns, including China’s Chen Long, Lin Dan and Denmark’s Jan O Jorgensen.



 The Star

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