SUKMA: NO PRESSURE DESPITE BEING FAVOURITE FOR GOLD - CI HUI

IPOH, July 22 (Bernama) -- Perak cyclist Nyo Ci Hui, 20, feels no pressure despite being the favourite to win the gold medal in the women's individual time trial (ITT) event at her final appearance in the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) Sarawak 2024, scheduled from August 17 to 24.

The 20-year-old national athlete noted that although ITT is not her favourite event, she previously won a silver medal for it at the Kuala Lumpur edition two years ago.

"My favourite event is the scratch race, but since it is not included in SUKMA this time, my main focus will be on the ITT.

"I am confident of achieving this goal based on my current performance, especially since the cyclist who won the ITT event at the last edition in Kuala Lumpur will not be competing this time due to age restrictions," she told Bernama recently.

This edition of SUKMA marks Ci Hui's third appearance, following her participation in Perak in 2018 and Kuala Lumpur in 2022, where she achieved her best results: one gold (scratch race), one silver (ITT), and two bronzes in the team sprint and 3-kilometre individual pursuit events.

On the international stage, the 2021/2022 Perak Sportswoman of the Year from Chemor won a gold medal in the scratch race and silver medals in the omnium and team sprint events at the 2022 Asian Cycling Championship.

Ci Hui expects stiff competition in the ITT event from the Johor and Kuala Lumpur cyclists, who are also her training partners on the national team.

"We know our strengths and weaknesses, but I believe this kind of competition will further strengthen my pursuit of the gold medal," she said, adding that she will also compete in the road race and criterium events.

The Universiti Nilai Business Foundation student highlighted that her current training involves two sessions daily with cycling over 100 kilometres each day.

"It is exhausting, but winning a major championship requires sacrifices, whether in terms of energy, time, or money. There are no shortcuts to success," she emphasised.

Perak cycling head coach Hishamuddin Mohd Zaki has set a target of one gold and two silver medals at this Malaysia Games (SUKMA), involving the ITT, road race, and criterium events.

The 52-year-old coach noted that 10 Perak cyclists, comprising seven men and three women aged between 20 and 21, will participate in this edition.

"Of course, our main hope for the gold medal is placed on Ci Hui in the ITT event, but I also hope that other cyclists can spring a surprise and emerge as champions.

"In terms of preparation, I believe we are close to 100 percent, with only minor weaknesses to fine-tune before departing for Sarawak," he said.

Hishamuddin also hoped the cyclists would remain focused and give their utmost effort, delivering fierce competition to all participants.

-- BERNAMA