At 46, para-shuttler Didin Taresoh can still put his younger opponents to shame in tournaments.
The Sabah-born shows no signs of slowing down despite his advanced age, and he hopes to return with a medal from the Tokyo Paralympics on Aug 24-Sept 5.
Didin, who is a teacher by profession in Ranau, will compete in the SH6 (short stature) men's singles event in Tokyo.
Coming from a poor family in Sabah, Didin could not even afford shoes and a badminton racquet when he was young.
However, his love for the game grew when he studied at a teachers' training college in Sabah.
"I came from a very poor family. When I was young, I could not afford shoes and a badminton racquet to pursue my career," said Didin.
"My first racquet was only RM35, and I bought it when representing a teachers' training college in Sabah. From there, my game improved a lot and later on, I could afford a better racquet.
"I am already 46, and I don't think I will be around for the next Paralympics, so I will try to do my best to finish on the podium in Tokyo."
Didin is brimming with confidence after learning the finer points of becoming a better badminton player under coach Rashid Sidek, a bronze medallist at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.
He is among the contenders in his event, with Britain's reigning world champion Jack Shephard being the favourite for the gold.
The other contenders are Britain's Krysten Coombs, India's Nagar Krishna, Hong Kong's Chu Man Kai and Brazil's Vitor Gonzalves Tavares.
Rashid said Didin has a fighting chance to finish on the podium.
"The SH6 category has many established players, and I foresee a close affair for the podium. I think there will be no favourites," said Rashid.
"Shephard appears to be the player to beat on paper, but he lost to Coombs at the Spanish Para International.
"Tavares and Man Kai are also good while Nagar beat Didin for the Dubai Para International title.
"Didin's rivals are quicker on court and have more power as they are young.
"However, Didin, as a former world champion, can rely on his experience to outwit his rivals.
"The battle in the group stage will be tight. Didin's first target is to reach the semi-finals. If he can achieve that, anything will be possible for him."
The maths teacher first came to prominence when he was crowned the SH6 men's singles world champion at the 2015 Para-Badminton Championships in England.
It was a remarkable achievement as he was already at the "old" age of 40 when he won the world title.
Didin added: "It was only six years ago when I won my first world title. Many were surprised as I was 40 then.
"I was a late bloomer as I could not develop my skill when I was young due to family difficulties.
"However, it is never too late to excel in sports, and I hope to make it count in Tokyo."
Didin, ranked seventh in the world, had also won gold medals at the 2017 Asean Para Games in Kuala Lumpur and the 2018 Asian Para Games in Indonesia.
The shuttler has been training under Rashid for the last three weeks.
Rashid said: "I am satisfied with his commitment to training. He is determined to make an impression in Tokyo.
"Due to his advanced age, I have not been pushing him too hard in training. For his age, any injury now will dent his hopes in Tokyo."
