NILAI, Feb 25 — National women’s track cyclist Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri proved her mettle as a champion when she defended her gold medal in the women’s elite keirin event during the 2025 Asian Track Cycling (ATC) Championship at the National Velodrome today.
The 22-year-old displayed an energetic performance to cross the finish line, ahead of South Korean Kim Haeun and Chinese rider Guo Yufang.
“This success means a lot to me and I did not expect to also beat Mina Sato from Japan (the world champion in the final) as she is still in peak form.
“But I have proven that I can compete at the highest level,” she told the press after the race.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom had to settle for a silver medal after Japanese rider Shinji Nakanao overtook him at the last moment to win the final of the men’s elite keirin event today, while Kaiya Ota, also from Japan, finished third.
“Actually I was very confident from the first round till the final and could get a (positive result). It is a bit disappointing but I take it as a test maybe Allah is planning something bigger for me in the future.
“I do not like using the word ‘sakit’ and such. Even with an inch of tyre determining the win, the fact is he is the winner,” he said.
Another Malaysian rider, Muhammad Fadhil Mohd Zonis, finished eighth in today’s 7th-12th classification race.
— Bernama
