KUALA LUMPUR: Young women’s track cycling star Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri (pic) has set a target of breaking the national record in the 500m time trial in her debut appearance at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham from July 28-Aug 8.
The 19-year-old athlete said her target was to dip under 35 seconds to break the national record held by former track queen Fatehah Mustapa.
Fatehah set the national record of 34.542s at the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.
Izzah said it was her big dream to better the mark in Birmingham after recording a time of 34.668s at the national championship in December last year.
“I hope I can achieve it (a new national record) at the Commonwealth) Games. I am not aiming for a medal there, but if I can break the national record, that’ll be enough,” said Izzah.
Izzah, who hails from Sungai Petani, said she was currently training at the National Velodrome in Nilai under the guidance of national track cycling coach John Beasley.
“Right now I commute there for sessions at the velodrome to improve my cycling techniques under Beasley,” she said.
Izzah, who has been called ‘the female version of Azizulhasni Awang, also expressed her determination and readiness to bear the country’s hopes to showcase cycling excellence at the Games.
“I’m a bit nervous but that’s great motivation for me because everyone has pinned their hopes on me,” she said.
On June 19, Izzah made her name as the first Malaysian woman rider to win a gold medal at the Asian Championships in New Delhi when she topped the 500m time trial event with a time of 35.499s.
She also added to her personal medal collection when she won a bronze in the keirin event at the Indira Gandhi Velodrome. — Bernama
