KUALA LUMPUR – National track cyclist Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom’s bronze medal win at the 2022 Commonwealth Games proved that the 26-year-old has moved into another phase of his career says national keirin ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang.
Azizulhasni or better known as “The Pocket Rocket Man” for his burst of speed in keirin events, especially towards the finish line, said the Muar-born cyclist’s current form and performance can boost him to excel at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
“The success in Birmingham recently shows that he (Shah) has moved into another phase of his career and matured into a prominent rider. We can see that he is ready to perform and produce results at the international stage.
“His achievement also answered a long-standing question of who the country’s next flag-bearer in track cycling will be,” said Azizulhasni in his Facebook posting today.
The winner of numerous titles on the world stage said the Commonwealth Games is a highly competitive competition in track cycling and winning a medal there will certainly boost Shah Firdaus’ confidence.
Azizulhasni said the country’s track cycling camp had been waiting for eight years to see a medal of any colour at the Commonwealth Games’ keirin event.
The Pocket Rocketman was actually the last cyclist to have won a medal in the Commonwealth Games when he bagged a bronze medal at the 2014 edition in Glasgow, Scotland.
Josiah Ng remains the only Malaysian track cyclist to have won a gold medal in track cycling when he clinched the gold during the 19th edition in New Delhi, India back in 2010. – Bernama, August 5, 2022