Fruit of her sacrifice
Cyclist izzah sees paris ticket as reward for skipping raya celebration
Skipping last week’s Hari Raya celebrations to focus on preparation for the final round of the Track Nations Cup had paid off handsomely for woman track cyclist Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri.
The 20-year-old still can’t believe she has qualified for the Paris Olympics in July, joining Azizulhasni Awang and Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom.
The Kedah-born Izzah is also only the second Malaysian woman track cyclist to qualify on merit after Fatehah Mustapa, who rode in the individual sprint in Rio de Janeiro in the 2016 edition.
Izzah is assured of a berth in the keirin in the Paris Olympics after finishing a commendable eighth in the last Olympic qualifying meet in Milton.
Izzah also made it past the qualifying rounds of the individual sprint in Milton but it has yet to be confirmed if she made the cut for the event in Paris as well.
Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) will inform the respective countries of the list of qualified athletes for the respective track cycling events on April 22.
“I think it’s the reward for missing Hari Raya and to keep training (in Melbourne),” said the petite Izzah after arriving home yesterday.
“I only finished eighth but it’s one of the biggest achievements for myself on the world level championship as I have never gone past the first round before this.
“I didn’t expect to go to the next round in keirin. In the sprint the day before, I was disappointed with my timing, so I tried to do my best in keirin as this was my last chance to maintain my rankings. “I’m glad to have qualified. “I’m happy to be in the Olympics. I didn’t expect it ... when I made it to the next round, I was congratulated by other athletes. I felt proud and understood the achievement,” added the double Asian champion, who will take a short break before resuming training.
Head coach John Beasley said the Paris Olympics will be Nurul Izzah’s stepping stone for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“She is in for the 2028 LA Olympics project but now she’s going to the Paris Olympics to familiarise herself. She’s on a massive upward trajectory, so there’s plenty more to come from her in the future,” said the Australian coach.
“She’s at the same age as Datuk Azizul when he made the breakthrough (qualify for first Olympics).
“They are very similar, of small stature but explosive. We gave her the experience and looked after her well and it’s starting to pay off now.
“There’s no expectation on Izzah in Paris at all, if we come back with medals, it will be great but our target is the 2028 Olympics.”