National track cyclist Shah Firdaus Sahrom celebrates after finishing third. — MUHAMAD SHAHRIL ROSLI/The Star
NILAI: Malaysia surpassed their three-medal target in the elite ranks at the Asian Championships on Sunday (Feb 23) after Nur Aisyah Mohd Zubir, Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri made the podium at the National Velodrome in Nilai.
Shah Firdaus, despite carrying a right knee injury sustained in gym training two weeks ago, defeated his younger brother Mohd Ridwan Sahrom 2-0 for third placing in the men’s elite sprint.
Japan's Kaiya Ota won gold after defeating compatriot Shinji Nakano 2-0.
Izzah also retained the bronze she won in the women's sprint last year in New Delhi.
She staged a great comeback to overcome China's Tokyo Olympic Ganes team sprint champion Bao Shanju 2-1 for Malaysia's fourth medal at the Asian meet.
Keirin world champion Mina Sato of Japan won gold after defeating China's Guo Yufang 2-0 in the final.
Nur Aisyah Mohd Zubir added more cheers to the Malaysian camp when she rode to silver in the women’s elite scratch race.
Aisyah came in second in the 10km distance race behind Hong Kong’s Lee Sze Wing to become the first Malaysian medallist in the event since Jupha Somnet rode to gold in the 2018 edition in Nilai.
Malaysia earlier won two silver medals in the men’s and women’s team sprint events.
