Izzah sprints her way into q-finals to set up Rhianna date

Right strategy: National cyclist Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri (left) beat Scotland’s Margaret Moir during the women’s sprint last 16 stage. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Track cyclist Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri earned a career breakthrough by reaching the women’s sprint quarter-finals for the first time at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Izzah, a former Asian champion, outlasted Margaret Moir of Scotland to keep her hope alive at Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome yesterday.

It is however, over for Nur Alyssa Mohd Farid as she was beaten by England’s Sophie Capewell in the last 16 stage.

Izzah, who made her Commonwealth Games debut in Birmingham four years ago, faces England’s Rhianna Parris-Smith in the last eight.

Izzah had earlier secured her place in the knockout stage (last 16) of the competition after posting 10.706s to place 11th fastest in the qualifying round.

The time though is not her fastest as she holds the national record of 10.541s clocked at the World Cup leg in Nilai only in April this year but enough to put her in the top 16 bracket.

Alyssa posted a personal best time of 10.882s to join her teammate in the knockout stage.

Emma Finucane of Wales, the hot favourite for the title, flexed her strength early by setting a new Games record time of 10.322s in the qualifying round.

Capewell was second fastest with 10.458s with Parris-Smith next behind her in 10.514s.