NILAI, Jan 18 — Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri has admitted that her position as the country's top woman cyclist is under threat after watching the performance of her junior Nur Alyssa Mohd Farid in the Asean Track Series (President's Cup) 2.
The 18-year-old Alyssa clocked a personal best of 10.952s to top the qualifying round of the women's sprint event at the National Velodrome today.
Izzah, a bronze medallist at the 2024 Asian Championships, was second in 11.000s but bounced back to clinch the gold medal.
The 22-year-old bagged gold by defeating South Korea's Kim Haeun 2-0 in the final, while Alyssa finished fourth after losing 2-0 to another South Korean, Cho Sunyoung, in the fight for the bronze medal.
"I am proud of her (Alyssa). Although still a backup (rider) and in need of more experience, she clocked a good time. I am definitely not satisfied with my time… I do feel threatened.
"However, it is good as it reminds me not to stay in my comfort zone because the juniors are coming for me. I will be more focused and keep on improving by seeking the advice of my coach,” she told the press after the race.
Izzah, who won both the sprint and keirin events in the first series on Tuesday and Wednesday (January 14 and January 15), will be looking to do the double again when she competes in the keirin event tomorrow. The third President's Cup series will be held on January 29 and January 30.
Besides competing in the Asian Track Cycling Championships at the same venue next month, she is also set to ride at the UCI Track Cycling Nations Cup in a bid to collect world ranking points to qualify for the World Championships in Santiago, Chile, from October 22 to October 26.
Meanwhile, national track cyclist Muhammad Ridwan Sahrom clinched the men's sprint gold medal after defeating teammate Muhammad Fadhil Mohd Zonis 2-0 in the final, leaving Sam Gallagher to take home the bronze by edging South Korean cyclist Bae Junhyeong.
The 23-year-old, who bagged bronze in sprint and failed to qualify for the keirin final in the first series, is happy that today's win has boosted his confidence to compete in international tournaments.
He last competed overseas in the World Championships in Ballerup, Denmark, in August last year.
"This tournament is also an important platform to confirm my slot in the Asian Championships. For now, I am confirmed for the team sprint event.
"However, the riders for the keirin and sprint individual events have not been named yet,” Ridwan said.
— Bernama
