It’s for you, dad
Fadhil dedicates men’s 1km time trial gold to ailing father
CYCLIST Muhd Fadhil Mohd Zonis only had his ailing father on his mind after clinching the men’s 1km time trial gold.
His father, Zonis Mokhtar, has been in hospital for the past three weeks due to kidney problems, but the 54-year-old must have been proud watching his son romp to a second SEA Games gold in track cycling at the National Velodrome in Nilai, Negri Sembilan.
Fadhil clocked a stunning 1:01.889 to come within a whisker of breaking the eight-year-old national record of 1:01.658 set by Rizal Tisin.
Rizal had set the mark k on his way to taking the bronze at the World Track Cycling Championships in Poland in 2009.
With his impressive lap, Fadhil denied Muhd Shah Firdaus Sahrom the chance to bag his first individual SEA Games gold.
Shah Firdaus clocked 1:02.356 earlier and had to settle for the silver.
“This win is for my dad. He has been staying at the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang for a while, but I know he’s strong.
“He must have watched me on TV. I know he will be happy with this (gold medal),” said the 19-yearoold Fadhil, who also won the 1km time trial gold in the junior ranks at the Asian Championships in Korat, Thailand, two years ago. Fadhil had earlier partnered Muhd Khairil Nizam Rasol and Mohd Shariz Efendi Mohd Shahrin to win the men’s team sprint gold at these Games on Sunday.
“I did not expect to clock such a fast time today. It’s my best timing. I will try to break Rizal’s record next year at the Commonwealth Games in Australia.”
Shah Firdaus was disappointed to end his Games campaign with two silvers.
He was beaten by Azizulhasni Awang in the men’s sprint final on Monday.
“Maybe, it’s not my time. My race (sprint final) finished so late and I had to go for a doping test after that.
“I only had about four hours of sleep. I was not in good condition today,” said the Melbournebased Shah Firdaus.