Shah Firdaus reveals what set him on track to becoming an Olympian

A dream come true: Shah Firdaus and Azizul will leave for Tokyo today.

PETALING JAYA: A childhood dream to become an Olympian has come true for cyclist Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom and he has only compatriot Azizulhasni Awang to thank.

Shah Firdaus and Azizul are the last batch of athletes to leave for Tokyo today.

Both will compete in the individual sprint and keirin in the track cycling competition from Aug 2-8.

Shah Firdaus said his first encounter with Azizul back in 2012 when he was 17 had sowed the seed of passion in him to achieve bigger and greater things in cycling.

Azizul was only 24 but already an Olympics finalist and a keirin champion at the Asian Games and World Cup stage.

Shah Firdaus had just joined the state team in Johor and it was his assistant coach Zamani Mustarudin who asked him whether he wanted to meet Azizul.

“Abang Black (Zamani) asked whether I wanted to meet my idol or not. I had a sudden adrenaline rush,” recalled Shah Firdaus.

“I was just about to sleep but I got up immediately and rushed out of the room.

“For a young guy who likes to cycle, to meet Azizul in person was something special.

“He had just returned not long ago from the 2012 London Olympics.

“The Olympics was something I could only read and support as I watched from the television in our living room.

“It was our first meeting in person and this young boy in white shirt decided at that time that he also wanted to set foot on the biggest multi-Games in the world.

“After nine years, this dream has come true,” he said.

While Shah Firdaus is eager to make his debut, his mentor and 2016 Rio keirin bronze medallist Azizul will be chasing to win a first gold medal in his fourth Olympics.