Jupha: Defeat will only make me stronger

A TEARFUL Jupha Somnet has vowed to come back stronger at the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines.

The Perlis-born rider’s wait for her first SEA Games gold continues after she had to settle for a bronze in the gruelling women’s omnium at the National Velodrome in Nilai, Negri Sembilan, on Sunday.

Jupha was joint leader with 2014 Asian Games gold medallist Jutatip Maneephan of Thailand after the first three events – scratch, tempo and elimination.

However, Jupha only managed fourth place in the points race, the final event of the day.

The 24-year-old Malaysian collected 138 points to occupy the last podium spot behind Singapore’s Lou Yiwei (161 points) and winner Maneephan (164 points).

A second Malaysian cyclist – Grace Phang – finished fifth with 111 points.

The omnium was the last event for Jupha, who had bagged the silver in the criterium and road race last week.

Jupha, who broke down shortly after the points race and had to be consoled by teammates, said: “I gave it my everything to win the gold for Malaysia.

“I pushed and pushed until I got cramps in my leg. But a bronze is all I could deliver.

“It’s over now. I want to come back in two years’ time and win my first SEA Games gold in the Philippines.

“I hope to get a longer period to train. I feel that I could have been in better physical condition if I had more time to prepare for these Games.

“I had less than three months to prepare because I had to complete my police course,” said Jupha, who is of Malaysian-Thai parentage.