Close shave fuels Izzah’s charge towards future medal glory

PETALING JAYA: Woman track cyclist Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri (pic) has no regrets after finishing fourth in the Commonwealth Games podium.

The 22-year-old put up a gallant charge to enter the medal rounds of the sprint event at Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome on Friday but lost both heats to Rhian Edmunds of Wales in the third-place playoff.

Izzah had earlier failed to confirm a medal after losing to Sophie Capewell of England in the semi-finals.

She won the first race but a mistake by the Malaysian saw the English rider taking second.

Her teammate Emma Finucane of Wales won the gold.

Olympian Izzah was left ruing after coming close to winning a medal.

“I’m definitely disappointed because I was already half-way there and was just a step away from winning a medal, said Izzah.

“This result definitely will leave a huge impact on me. I will take it as a lesson and will move on to the next event.”

Izzah had earlier clocked 10.706 seconds to finish as the 11th fastest rider.

“I’m happy to prove that a slow timing does not necessarily stop us from advancing far.

“I executed my tactics well and managed to go far this time.

“I was able to prove that I can compete with Olympic medallists.

“The victory over Sophie in the first race became one of the biggest moments for me.”

Izzah did not even qualify for the knockout rounds in her Commonwealth Games debut in Birmingham four years ago.

Another Malaysian Nur Alyssa Mohd Farid finished in 15th spot in 10.882s.

Izzah will compete in the women’s 1km time trial event before wrapping up her challenge in the keirin today.

Mohd Yusof Hafizi Shaharuddin also just missed out on a medal after finishing fourth in the men’s 1km time trial C1-C3 event after posting 1:08.658s.

The top three finishers are Devon Briggs New Zealand (1:05.536), Gordon Allan of Australia (1:07.361) and Fin Graham of Scotland (1:07.527).