The Kee to his success

KUCHING: As a young boy growing up in Dungun, Kee Zhe Yie would cut newspaper clippings of Azizulhasni Awang to save it in his album. It’s not a surprise as Azizul, after all, is a big name and also comes from Dungun.

But more than 10 years later, the young boy, just like his idol Azizul, has become a Sukma gold medallist.

The 21-year-old emerged as a double gold medallist for Terengganu yesterday after he featured in the six-member boys’ road race winning team.

Zhe Yie, Mohd Danial Ramli, Mohd Afiq Iskandar Hasyim, Mohd Aiman Haiqal Mohd Khairul and Mohd Adam Ramdzan Razali successfully defended the boys’ team title for Terengganu after finishing in a total time of 10’59:25.

Mohd Iqbal Daniel claimed the boys individual road race gold medal for Terengganu as well.

Iqbal beat Mohd Faheem Razen Mohd Zaini of Johor in the sprint finish at the Pehin Sri Adenan Satem Highway near Limbang.

Zhe Yie was Terengganu’s first gold medallist when he won the 37.5km boys’ individual time trial event on Wednesday.

And it was a glorious celebration for Dungun boy Zhe Yie, who was rewarded with a contract extension by Terengganu Cycling Team (TSG) for his exploits in Sarawak.

Zhe Yie is expected to play a key role in TSG’s bid to do well in the upcoming Le Tour de Langkawi race at the end of next month.

Going places: Kee Zhe Yie is expected to play a key role in TSG’s bid to do well in the upcoming Le Tour de Langkawi race at the end of next month.

“I had the target to win one but this is a bonus,” said Zhe Yie.

“Conditions were not easy as it was raining and this made it tough to focus.

“I could not do it without the support of the other riders,” said Zhe Yie, who started to develop an interest in cycling when he was only six.

“But it was when I started to see Datuk Azizul in the newspaper that I was interested in the sport even more. I was into fixie bicycle (similar to BMX but without brakes).

“A friend suggested that I apply to join the Terengganu Sports School after that and I slowly got more serious.

“I like the road cycling more than track. I still have a long way to go as I am still young,” he added. Road cycling comes to an end today with the women’s road race individual and team events.