Fadhil tells fellow Malaysian netizens to calm down

PETALING JAYA: National track cyclist Mohd Fadhil Zonis has called on fellow Malaysians not to get too worked up with Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom’s crash in the men’s keirin competition at Izu Velodrome.

Malaysian netizens have blamed Britain’s Jack Carlin for cutting into Shah Firdaus’ way in the first round heat.

They immediately left unpleasant messages on Carlin’s social media accounts, forcing the Briton to shut off the comments not long after.

But it was actually Holland’s Matthijs Buchli who caused the incident as he had cut into Carlin’s racing line and was eventually given a warning.

Buchli, the 2019 world champion and silver medallist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, did not advance to the quarter-finals.

“Don’t take things too personal regarding Shah Firdaus’ crash. Don’t go and attack other people’s social media. Keep it professional. We are cyclists and we are also friends off the track,” tweeted Fadhil, the reigning Asian record holder in the men’s 1km time-trial.

“We don’t argue out of the track. Please don’t shame our Olympians with this kind of mentality.”

Shah Firdaus was later taken to hospital for a check-up after he complained of pain in his ribs following the crash and the cycling team will be hoping that he can start the quarter-finals today along with main medal prospect Azizulhasni Awang.