KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 — National track cycling ace Shah Firdaus Sahrom is set to compete in the keirin and sprint events during the Asian Cycling Championships (ACC) 2025 at the National Velodrome in Nilai from February 21 to February 27, despite injuring his knee in an accident during training recently.
National track cycling head coach Harnizam Basri said that based on the injuries sustained, the 29-year-old should be able to compete in both events.
However, Firdaus' fitness level will be reassessed by the coaches after the keirin event, which is scheduled to be held on February 22, before deciding whether or not he will compete in the sprint event.
"Shah suffered injuries to the patella and below his knee. So far, we have listed him for the two events,” he told Bernama when contacted.
The local media had previously reported that the national Olympian is still undecided about competing in the championships.
Harnizam added that several new faces who shone in the President's Cup earlier will also be competing in the ACC 2025.
"For this edition, we have listed Mohd Akmal Nazimi Jusena for the team sprint, replacing Umar Hasbullah, who has been placed as a reserve.
"Meanwhile, in the women's category, we are fielding Nurul Alyssa Farid in three events — sprint individual and team as well as keirin," he said.
During the 2024 edition in New Delhi, India, Malaysia bagged two golds, two silvers, and a bronze to finish third overall behind Japan and China.
— Bernama
