The 17-year-old rider, despite making her debut in the prestigious championships, was not intimidated by the occasion and produced an energetic and tactical race to finish second just 0.030s behind the winner.
The Muar-born rider’s achievement was all the more sweeter, as she had only been training on a part-time basis for about a month and her previous experience was competing in the Junior Cycling Malaysia (JCM) championships.
“I am very happy with the win because the competitors I faced in the competition were all well-established and more experienced riders. This is the biggest victory in my career and it will certainly take a while to sink in.
“But celebrations aside, I hope to maintain my performance in the 500m time trial and sprint events. The sprint is my favourite event and I hope to excel in the race,” she told reporters here today.
South Korea swept the gold in the event through Na Yun-seo who clocked 11.998s, while her teammate Kim Do-ye took the bronze.
Another junior rider, Intan Suraya Tokiman contributed a bronze medal through the women’s junior scratch event after finishing behind Misaki Okamoto from Japan (gold) and South Korea’s Kwon Na-hye.
Malaysian road race expert Harrif Saleh who competed in the men’s elimination race, had to be content with eighth placing while Nur Fitrah Shaari finished in ninth spot in the women’s elimination race.
Meanwhile, in the Asia Para Track Cycling Championships held simultaneously with the ACC, the country’s para cycling squad produced another excellent performance to contribute a gold, two silver and two bronze medals today.
Malaysian riders dominated the top two spots in the women’s Para B 1km time trial. Nur Suraiya Muhamad Zamri swept the gold with a time of 1:12.501s while Nur Azlia Syafinaz Mohd Zais clocked 1:12.704s to take silver, ahead of Indonesia’s Sri Sugiyanti (1:16.740s).
In the men’s Para B 1km time trial Khairul Hazwan Wahab managed to win a silver with a time of 1:04.530s while Japan’s Kazuhei Kimura took the gold with a time of 1:03.546s and Iran’s Mohammad Dalir Heidarabadi (1:05.361s) took the bronze.
Two other bronze medals came from Yusof Hafizi Shaharuddin (men’s scratch Para C1-C3) and Zuhairi Ahmad Tarmizi (men’s scratch Para C5).
The ACC and Para Track Cycling Championships will continue tomorrow.