Taj sets the hearts racing

Emotional win: Taj Izrin Aiman Taj Madira crying after winning the Gran Turismo 7 gold.

DO NOT rule us out.

E-sports may not have been among Malaysia’s main medal hopes at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, but Taj Izrin Aiman Taj Madira showed that with the right guidance, they can spring a big surprise.

The 27-year-old Izrin clinched the country’s first Asiad gold medal in e-sports after he topped the standings in the Gran Turismo 7 event at the Aichi Sky Expo Hall, pulling off a strong comeback in the third and final race yesterday.

E-sports was only introduced as a sport at the last Asian Games in Hangzhou.

Izrin, who trains under former Formula One driver Alex Yoong, who is also the current national e-sports racing coach, said the victory was the result of hard work that started many months ago.

“I did not expect to get a gold. Of course the aim was there,” said Izrin.

“My coach always pushed me to stay focused and most importantly, stay in my lane. He told me not to make risky moves, and we managed to get everything covered. This is also the result of our dedication. Since earlier this year, we have been pushing and practising so much.

Farish Luzman (left) and Hariz Hazmi Hakimin won the e-football silver.

“I never skip practice because Alex can get quite strict when it comes to that. But I’m satisfied and relieved to get this.”

In every race, the top three finishes get 10 points, eight and six respectively.

Izrin had finished the first two races in second place to gain 16 points, but saved the best for last as he clinched the win in Race 3 and that took his total score to 36.

The Malaysian had entered the final after finishing second in the first semi-final race, with the top four advancing to the medal round.

Saudi Arabia’s Naif Abdulhakim S. Alfaleh and South Korea’s Kim Young-chan were tied with 25 points each, but Naif took silver as he finished ahead of Young-chan in Race 1.

Meanwhile, Malaysia’s e-sports team missed out on another gold medal after Farish Luzman and Hariz Hazmi Hakimin fell short against Iran in the e-football final.

The 18-year-old Farish gave Malaysia a promising start by beating Abolfazi Aghaeinasab 2-1 on mobile at the Aichi Sky Expo Hall, but Hariz, 23, faced a tough task against multiple world champion Hassan Pajani on console.

The Iranian proved too strong, beating Hariz 3-0 to seal a 4-2 aggregate victory.

Earlier, the Malaysian duo had outplayed Uzbekistan in the semi-finals, with Hariz thrashing Farrukh Mirkhamitov 5-0 on console before Farish beat Abubakir Iminjonov 2-0 on mobile.

RESULTS

Gran Turismo 7 Final

Race 1: 1. Ryota Kokubun (Jpn) 14:34.256s, 2. Taj Izrin Aiman Taj Madira (Mas) 14:36.103, 3. Naif Abdulhakim S. Alfaleh (Ksa) 14:36.821.

Race 2: 1. Kim Young-chan (Kor) 20:00.052, 2. Taj Izrin Aiman Taj Madira (Mas) 20:00.106, 3. Ryota Kokubun (Jpn) 20:00.147.

Race 3: 1. Taj Izrin Aiman Taj Madira (Mas) 25:07.185, 2. Naif Abdulhakim S. Alfaleh (Ksa) 25:11.052, 3. Kim Young-chan (Kor) 25:11.191.

Final standing: 1. Taj Izrin Aiman Taj Madira (Mas) 36 points, 2. Naif Abdulhakim S. Alfaleh (Ksa) 25 points, 3. Kim Young-chan (Kor) 25 points.