TRACK cyclist Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom’s (pic) keirin bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games proved that the 26-year-old is ready for a much bigger stage, says the event’s former world champion Azizulhasni Awang.
Azizul said his teammate’s current form and performance can serve as a boost for them to mount a serious challenge at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
“His success in Birmingham shows that he has moved into another phase of his career and has matured into a prominent rider. He is now ready to perform and produce results on the international stage,” said Azizul in his Facebook posting yesterday.
“His achievement also answered a long-standing question of who will be the country’s next flagbearer in the velodrome,” he added.
Azizul, a winner of numerous titles on the world stage, added the Commonwealth Games was highly competitive and winning a medal will certainly boost Shah’s confidence.
Azizul, who also won a bronze at the 2014 edition in Glasgow, Scotland, said the country’s track cycling camp had been waiting for eight years to see a medal of any colour.
Josiah Ng remains the only Malaysian track cyclist to have won gold which he achieved at the New Delhi Games in 2010. — Bernama
