Everything’s all ride (SEPTEMBER 17 - 23)
Blind cyclists get green light to compete after road accident
BLIND cyclists Khairul Nizam Mohd Ali and Khairul Azwan Wahab have been cleared to compete in the Asean Para Games road cycling competition in Putrajaya next week.
The duo, their able-bodied pilots – Nur Syafiq Suhaimy and Mohd Nur Rizuan Zainal – as well as coach Johari Nayan were hit by a fourwheel drive while training along the Latar Highway near Rawang last Thursday.
Khairul Nizam and Khairul Azwan suffered concussions.
Khairul Nizam’s pilot Nur Syafiq fractured his leg while Khairul Azwan’s partner Nur Rizuan suffered spinal injury.
Both the pilots are ruled out of the Games.
Now that Khairul Nizam and Khairul Azwan have been given the green light to compete, they have been assigned new pilots in former national cyclists Hafiz Sufian and Muhd Rauf Nur Misbah.
Hafiz will pilot Khairul Nizam and Rauf will guide Khairul Azman.
Former SEA Games gold medallist Hafiz has vowed to help his partner realise his dream of standing on top of the podium.
Hafiz, who retired from the national track squad not long after winning the SEA Games omnium gold at the Indonesia SEA Games in 2011, will compete with Khairul Nizam in the men’s (B) tandem time trial and road race events from Sept 20-21.
“After I quit the national track squad, I was involved with the para cycling team.
“I’ve partnered Khairul Nizam in the tandem event before. I will help him fight for a podium finish. He looks okay, except for the stitches.
“I think the stitches will be removed and it won’t pose a problem when he wears his helmet,” said the 30-year-old Hafiz, who won the men’s (B) tandem sprint and 1km time trial gold medals with Muhd Afiq Rizan Afify at the 2016 Asian Para Cycling Championships in Japan last year.
Twelve gold medals will be up for grabs in track cycling on Sept 17 and 18 and 14 in road cycling.