KUALA LUMPUR – National track cyclists will have a packed schedule over the next few months as qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympics intensifies – but unfazed by the race to qualify for the Olympics, Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom wants to focus on the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, at least for this year.
Fresh from winning a silver medal from the keirin event at the recent Belgium International Track Cycling Championships, Muhammad Shah Firdaus is determined to finish on the podium in Hangzhou, just like what he had accomplished at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.
In 2018, the 27-year-old making his debut in the games clinched a silver medal from the men’s team sprint with track cycling ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang and Muhammad Fadhil Mohd Zonis.
“God willing, I will try to emulate the success of 2018, but it is not easy to make any predictions because in a few months, new faces may emerge. But I can judge there will be a strong challenge from Chinese and Japanese riders,” he said.
However, the 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist in the men’s keirin event said he would let coach John Beasley decide on the right time to peak so as to achieve the best performance.
“This year will be a very busy one. We have to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, the World Championships, as well as the Asian Games. It is a tricky situation but John is tasked to decide when I must hit peak performance,” he said.
Previously delayed by Covid-19, the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou will be held from September 23 to October 8. – Bernama, April 25, 2023
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