Young Siblings Prove Age No Barrier In Competitive Cycling

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 17 (Bernama) -- At an age when most children are busy playing at playgrounds, brothers Nik Muhammad Danish Nik Muhammad Zulkarnain and Nik Muhammad Faris have chosen a far more demanding pursuit – cycling.

Already accustomed to riding road bikes and keeping pace with adult riders, the siblings are now attracting the attention of Malaysia’s cycling community for their mature riding style and ability to compete in long-distance routes at such a young age.

Danish, 10, and Faris, eight, from Kampung Gong Badak in Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, began cycling casually, often joining their parents on evening and weekend rides, before their talent started to shine through longer-distance outings.

Their father Nik Muhammad Zulkarnain Nik Sin, 41, said the two boys began showing serious interest in cycling about a year ago, with their performance having improved after joining the competitive Junior Cycling Malaysia (JCM) race series.

“In the beginning, they would join us (parents) in our bike rides for fun, riding children’s bikes. But over time, we noticed they could maintain long-distance pace. They also quickly picked up techniques and were brave enough to ride far. That’s when I began training them more systematically each evening,” the father-of-five told Bernama.

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Their first attempt at a JCM race in Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan, in July last year brought unexpected results – Danish finished second while Faris came in fourth in their respective age category. After switching to more suitable bikes, their performance improved even further.

To date, Danish and Faris, who are pupils of Sekolah Kebangsaan Tok Jiring in Kuala Terengganu, have competed in more than eight cycling events, almost all ending on the podium, including several wins in the JCM series this year.

Their growing interest and capabilities also caught the eye of an international bicycle company, which offered them a one-year contract as brand ambassadors.

Nik Muhammad Zulkarnain, who is also a cyclist with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) Terengganu team, said both boys train almost daily, combining cycling on slopes to improve cadence and cycling uphill to develop strength.

“Their daily training covers around 40 to 50 kilometres. When they ride in a larger peloton, the distance can reach 70 to 80 kilometres with an average speed of around 30 kilometres an hour.

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“I will usually follow them on my motorbike to monitor cadence and gear usage, and their safety as well… since they are still young, I need to ensure every ride isn’t just fast but safe,” he said.

In terms of equipment, the boys use adult-specification bikes, including size-44 frames and 53 cranksets, allowing them to maintain high speeds when riding in a peloton.

“Even though the frames are large for their age, I refitted them – lowered the seats and shortened the handlebars – so they (his two children) are comfortable and don’t tire easily,” he said, noting that children’s bikes simply cannot match peloton speeds.

Their talent has also caught the attention of the Terengganu State Sports Council, which has placed them in the state squad, despite most athletes being 13 and above.

Meanwhile, their mother Noornajmi Idayu Mazlan, 40, said Danish and Faris’s active involvement in cycling has not only improved their fitness but also transformed their daily discipline, especially in time management and commitment to their studies.

“This sport has taught them so much. They used to be quite mischievous, but now they are more focused and disciplined. What I never had the chance to achieve when I was young, I want to offer to my children, while ensuring they don’t neglect their studies,” she said.

-- BERNAMA