NILAI, Feb 17 (Bernama) -- Malaysia have set themselves a modest three-medal target for the Asian Track Cycling Championships (ATC) 2025 that will be held at the National Velodrome here from Feb 21-27.
National track cycling head coach Harnizam Basri said they are banking on medals from the men's and women's team sprint events as well as women's keirin rider Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri.
"Realistically, I am targeting just three medals, whatever the colour,” he told reporters after the ceremony to announce the official broadcast host for the ACT here today.
National track ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang is skipping the championships while the number of events Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom will be competing in has yet to be determined.
"Shah Firdaus suffered a knee injury two weeks ago and we just received the result of his MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) today. We are relieved that he won't need to take any jabs (for the injury), but we must decide on how many events he will compete in.
"We will discuss after this… whether he will compete in the keirin event only or also take part in the sprint event. He also wants to compete in the ACT to maintain his top-10 ranking in the world, even if it means having to ride in pain,” he said.
Muhammad Shah Firdaus is listed with Muhammad Fadhil Mohammad Zonis for the men's keirin event and will also compete in the sprint event with his brother, Muhammad Ridwan.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Fadhil and Muhammad Ridwan will combine with youngster Mohd Akmal Nazimi Jusena in the team sprint event.
Harnizam said Japan are expected to field their strongest team and will be Malaysia's main threat while China are expected to send their young guns this time.
Meanwhile, Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill is confident that the presence of home fans to witness some of the world's best track cyclists in action will make up for the disappointment of two-time Olympic medallist Mohd Azizulhasni's absence this time.
"I think the supports will turn up to give their support because Datuk Azizulhasni himself has called on them to turn up in droves via social media and even he might show up. The fans must also give their support to our rising stars who are our hope for the future,” said Amarjit.
In last year's edition in New Delhi, India, Malaysia bagged two gold medals through Nurul Izzah Izzati (women's keirin & 500m time trial), two silvers and a bronze to finish third overall behind Japan and China.
When Malaysia hosted the championships in the 2023 edition in Nilai, Malaysia won three gold medals through Mohd Azizulhasni (keirin and sprint) and Muhammad Fadhil (1km time trial) as well as a silver and two bronze medals.
-- BERNAMA
