Aimi gets it right in her third Sukma by winning first medal

Terengganu's gold medalist Nur Aisyah Mohamad Zubir (right) poses with teammate silver medalist Aimi Iwasaki Muhammad Moritoshi after winning the the women's 30km individual time trial at the Sukma Games in Kuching, Sarawak, July 22, 2106. GLENN GUAN/The Star

KUCHING: It has been an unusual journey for Terengganu cyclist Aimi Iwasaki Mohd Moritoshi.

The 20-year-old of mixed Japanese-Malaysian parentage started out as a swimmer in Penang before moving to Malacca and picked up cycling.

She represented the historic state for the 2012 Sukma in Pahang before relocating to Terengganu shortly after that.

Now in her third and final Sukma appearance, Aimi finally came good in the sport she enjoys after putting up a superb ride to finish with a surprise silver in the women’s 30km individual time trial.

Aimi clocked 44:31.384, just short of team-mate Nur Aisyah Zubir, who charged to the gold in 42:49.641.

“At my first Sukma, I broke my arm before the event. Although I took part, I didn’t finish with a medal,” said Aimi.

“In Perlis two years ago, I felt unwell during the race and lost out again.

“But those two incidents only served as motivation for me and I told myself to do my best in my last Sukma.

“I wanted badly to a win a medal for my mother (who is from Penang), who is here with me, and my family for supporting me.

“I’m also grateful to my coaches in the Terengganu team. This would not have been possible without them keeping faith in me.”

Aimi has two more events to go – the team time trial on Monday and the criterium on Tuesday.