NILAI: Track cyclist Sawda Hasbullah ended Malaysia’s wait for gold at the Asian Championships in Nilai after winning the girls' junior 1km time trial event at the National Velodrome in Nilai on Sunday (Feb 23).
The 17-year-old debutant stopped the clock at 1:10.818s to win the final contest ahead of Taiwan’s Liu Shang-ying (1:11.93s).
India’s Jakhar Harshita took bronze with 1:12.848s.
Sawda is the first Malaysian gold medallist in the girls' junior ranks since the inception of the Asian championships in 1963.
It is the second medal for Sawda after winning silver in the team sprint with Nurul Akhma Atiqah Ahmed Haizan and Nur Umairah Qhaisara Zulfikha on Friday.
Sawda had finished fourth while Nur Umairah claimed silver in the keirin final on Saturday.
