Latest news with #AsianCyclingChampionships
The Star
19 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
What price glory?
Firdaus came to prominence when he won a bronze medal at the World Junior Track Cycling Championships. IN a small corner of the Youth and Sports Ministry, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee from the Bike And Bean cafe greets visitors, yet behind the pleasant scent lies the story of former cycling hero Mohd Firdaus Mohd Zonis, once hailed as a great hope in Malaysia's track cycling arena. His name began to make waves among local sports fans in 2014 when he delivered a bronze medal at the World Junior Track Cycling Championships, an achievement that established him as one of the nation's most promising prospects. That triumph at a young age made him the first Malaysian since Adiq Husainie (2008) to step onto the podium in the men's 1km time trial, earning him a place among the successors to Datuk Azizulhasni Awang. The achievement was further cemented by the national junior record in the 200m sprint, which still stands to this day, a silent testament to his prowess on the track. However, behind the cheers and podium finishes lay a story seldom told – the physical exhaustion, mental pressure, and injuries that gradually eroded his fighting spirit. Firdaus with his gold medal after winning the junior keirin event while Azizulhasni Awang took silver in the elite category at the 2014 Asian Cycling Championships in Kazakhstan. 'Moving up to the senior level, the training got heavier. I felt I wasn't good enough even though I gave my best. Small recurring injuries eventually became a big burden,' said Firdaus, recalling the period when his passion began to fade. Everything came to a head when he was diagnosed with L4 and L5 slip disc injuries, forcing him to make the painful decision to end a career he had dreamed of since childhood far earlier than expected. Although he once sank into disappointment, Firdaus found his own way to rise again after hanging up his bike – by shifting his path to bicycle repairs. For Firdaus, success does not necessarily come in the form of medals hanging around the neck, but in the ability to get back up, find life's meaning after sport, and most importantly, heal oneself. 'I hope there will be more awareness about burnout among young athletes, so they know they are not alone and that there is support if they need it,' he said. Firdaus' experience is not an isolated case, as former national junior tennis player Wan Abdul Muiz Wan Aziz went through a similar phase. Mohd Firdaus Mohd Zonis said physical exhaustion, mental pressure and injuries gradually eroded his fighting spirit. — Cycle Eighty Eight Sdn Bhd Facebook Once ranked sixth in Malaysia at the age of 16, Wan Abdul Muiz admitted that early success came with extraordinary pressure. The Kelantan-born athlete, who started playing tennis at the age of 10, was once considered one of the country's brightest talents, but the glitter came at a heavy price. 'People think kids just enjoy playing. But the pressure from coaches, parents, or even oneself is very heavy. 'At one point I felt lazy to train and started to question what all this meant,' he said. Training for eight to 10 hours a day while juggling academic responsibilities and high expectations caused Muiz to lose interest in the sport he once loved. What made it worse was that requests for help were often met with stigma. Wan Abdul Muiz Wan Abdul Aziz was once ranked sixth in Malaysia at the age of 16. 'Our culture sometimes assumes that if you can't take it, you're weak. Mental health support for young athletes is very limited. Many don't understand the emotional burden we carry,' he said. The stories of Firdaus and Muiz are a reminder that behind the roaring cheers lies the silent side of sports – a challenge that demands more than just physical strength, but also resilience of the heart and mental well-being. — Bernama
New Straits Times
10-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Road cyclists' gold hopes dim after Sports Council rejects bike funding
KUALA LUMPUR: The road cycling team's hopes of striking gold at the Thailand SEA Games (Dec 9-20) have been dealt a blow after the National Sports Council (NSC) rejected their request for new bicycles. The team had sought funding to purchase six new time trial bikes in preparation for the Games and as part of a long-term investment ahead of the 2027 Kuala Lumpur edition. Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) road cycling committee chairman Norazman Abu Samah confirmed the NSC's decision to turn down their request for additional funding. "We had a meeting with NSC last week to discuss the road team's budget and were told there will be no extra funds. This is a massive blow to our gold medal hopes in Thailand," said a disappointed Norazman. He said the team needs upgraded time trial bikes to match regional rivals Thailand and the Philippines, who are already equipped with the latest technology. "This year, NSC allocated RM450,000 for road, mountain bike (MTB) and BMX, which covers training, coaching and competitions. RM300,000 was set aside for road, RM100,000 for MTB and RM50,000 for BMX," he said. "However, we only have RM160,000 left for the road team after spending RM140,000 on preparations for the Asian Cycling Championships in Nilai in February. "We've been told to divert funds from MTB and BMX, but we don't believe that's the right approach. "If no additional funding comes in, we may have to pull out of the Thailand SEA Games altogether." In contrast, Thailand's riders will be using top-tier time trial bikes costing around RM100,000 each. Malaysia had high hopes of success in Thailand following Nur Amirull Fakhruddin Mazuki's gold (mass start) and silver (criterium) at the 2023 Phnom Penh Games. At the 2021 Hanoi edition, Nur Aiman Zariff won gold in the mass start, while Nur Aiman Rosli bagged bronze in the individual time trial. However, hosts Thailand are expected to design the mass start route to include a steep summit finish — a tactic likely aimed at favouring their own riders and denting Malaysia's title defence.
New Straits Times
24-04-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Rider Dania scores perfect 10As
NATIONAL junior track cyclist Dania Avriel Alviera Azif has proven she is just as good in the classroom as she is in the velodrome, scoring a perfect 10As in the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination. The SMK Desa Cempaka, Nilai student, who is a rising track endurance rider, received the good news with a mix of joy and relief. "Today, I'm beyond grateful to share that I've achieved straight As in my SPM. It wasn't an easy journey, full of sleepless nights, tears, doubts, and countless prayers," she wrote on Instagram. "But with perseverance, support from my family, teachers, friends, and most importantly, Allah's guidance, I made it through." The 18-year-old, who focuses on endurance events, had won the scratch race bronze medal at the Asian Cycling Championships held at the National Velodrome in Nilai last February.
