APG 2025: Early Preparations Help Mohamad Yusof Wins First Gold Medal For Malaysia

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- Mohamad Yusof Hafizi Shaharuddin's sacrifice of leaving his family to 'camp' in Suphan Buri, Thailand for two months paid off when he brought home Malaysia's first gold in the men's C1-C2 individual road cycling time trial at the 2025 ASEAN Para Games (APG) at Suranaree University of Technology, today.

The 28-year-old athlete, who is participating in the biennial games for the second time after the 2017 edition, is grateful for having the opportunity to win the same event again.

“I didn’t expect to win gold, I just hoped to win a medal. I did my best because I just want to bring glory to the country, that’s all.

“But thank God, I’m grateful for today’s victory, especially because I can bring this gold medal to my parents after two months of leaving my family to train for this APG,” he told Bernama.

The official results showed that the youngest of the two siblings finished the race with a time of 32:39.887 seconds (s), leaving competitors from Indonesia, Tifan Abid Alana (35:39.593s) and Thailand, Rimtamad Teerayut (36:29.642s) far behind.

Mohamad Yusof said he will compete in three more events with the determination to continue bringing glory to the country.

In the women’s event, national cyclist Nur Azlia Syafinaz brought home the silver medal in the women's individual time trial B cycling race with a time of 35:38.00s.

Jannah Vanza Mifthahul (Indonesia) won the gold with a time of 34:55.616s, while Watcharobon (Thailand) finished the race in 35:57.202s for the bronze.

-- BERNAMA