Reaching for the stars
Mohamad Yusof determined to don UCI rainbow jersey
THE triumph of clinching the bronze medal in the 1km time trial in the men’s C1 (physical disability) category at the 2024 UCI Paracycling World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, last week, has fired up Mohamad Yusof Hafizi’s determination to chase the rainbow jersey in upcoming championships.
The UCI rainbow jersey is a symbol of prestige worn by defending champion of each event at the world championships.
Despite replicating his achievement from the 2022 edition in Paris, Mohamad Yusof said his enthusiasm has never waned, and he will continue to strive hard in training to achieve his goal of standing alongside other world champions one day.
“In the past, people asked me what my goal was for racing, and I simply answered that I wanted to become a world champ. Of course, the achievement in Brazil fuels my spirit to wear the rainbow jersey.
“However, I need to improve my strength and maintain discipline to win the world champion title,” he told reporters upon arrival at Terminal 1 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport from Brazil yesterday.
The 26-year-old won the bronze with a time of 1:15.562s, while China dominated the top two positions of the podium through Li Zhang Yu, who clinched gold (1:10.608s), and Liang Weicong, who secured silver (1:13.292s).
Hailing from Kuala Kangsar, Mohamad Yusof described 2024 as his best season yet following his impressive achievements not only in Brazil but also becoming the first national representative to ascend the podium at the UCI Para-Road Cycling World Cup in Adelaide, Australia, in January.
Mohamad Yusof created a sensation by winning the bronze at the prestigious event in Adelaide with a time of 21:33.17s in the road time trial, coming behind champion from Spain, Ricardo Ten Argiles (21:32.27s), and the silver medallist from Germany, Pierre Senska (21:32.27s).
Following Adelaide, he maintained his stellar momentum by clinching four gold medals at the 2024 Asian Para Track Cycling Championships in New Delhi last month, namely in the individual pursuit C1, mixed team sprint C1-5 with Zuhairie Ahmad Tarmizi and Muhammad Hafiz Jamali, scratch race C1, and the C1 1km time trial.
Asked about his chances of contributing medals at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris, he said he would strive to give his best performance to pursue that dream if given the opportunity to compete in the prestigious global sporting event scheduled from Aug 28 to Sept 8.
Meanwhile, Malaysia’s paracycling coach, Sallehudin Mohd Noh said Malaysia have secured two quotas, one each for men and women, from the International Cycling Union (UCI) for the 2024 Paralympic Games so far.
Sallehudin, hoping that Malaysia will increase its quota of cyclists for the 2024 Paralympic Games, said the official announcement of the country’s representatives for Paris would only be made by his side after the qualification campaign ends on June 30.