All primed for Asiad
Farina and Anis show they are among Asia’s best in Dublin meet
PETALING JAYA: Women cyclists Farina Shawati Mohd Adnan and Anis Amira Rosidi proved they are primed for a good outing in their Asian Games campaign in Indonesia next month by finishing on the podium in the Dublin Track Cycling International meet in Ireland.
Farina won the women’s elite keirin final contest ahead of Italian Maila Andreotti and Britain’s Lucy Grant. Her teammate Anis finished fourth.
Anis was not to be denied her own podium finish as she managed to reach the final of the sprint event before settling for silver after losing 2-0 to Robyn Stewart of Ireland.
Farina claimed her second medal in the two-day meet when she got the better of Charlene Du Preez of South Africa in the battle for the bronze in the same event.
Mohd Shariz Efendi Mohd Shahrin also rode to a bronze in the men’s elite keirin final won by Spaniard Jose Moreno.
Shariz and Mohd Khairil Nizam Rasol finished seventh and 11th overall in the sprint event.
Shariz and Khairil were not selected for the Asian Games mission but Farina and Anis are.
Farina and Anis, aged 22 and 20 respectively, will find it hard to challenge the best of Asia in Jakarta but they are still expected to put up good displays.
Farina and Anis earned their Asiad berths at the expense of the off-form Fatehah Mustapa. They will ride in the team sprint and individual sprint and keirin events.
Coach Junaidi Nasir said it was a gratifying trip to Europe for Farina and Anis, who are sponsored by Sime Darby.
“The Japan Track Cup meets were held at the same time but we opted to go to Ireland as both offered Class 1 world ranking points.
“Their chances of winning a medal would have been slim if they rode in Japan as the riders there were stronger.
“It’s a good boost to their confidence to be on the podium. Farina and Anis are the hopes for the country in women’s track cycling and we hope they can only get better.”