Johor rider Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom overcame a strong challenge from national cycling star Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang to win the men’s elite keirin title at the 2026 National Track Cycling Championships held at the National Velodrome.
Azizulhasni launched a late sprint in the final moments of the race, but Shah Firdaus maintained his composure and pace to cross the finish line first and secure the gold medal.
Azizulhasni, representing Team Azizul, settled for silver, while Selangor’s Muhammad Fadhil Mohd Zonis took bronze.
Shah Firdaus said he timed his final attack in the last lap and was relieved to hold off Azizulhasni’s charge, marking a return to the top after last winning the national title in 2022.
“In the first two laps I controlled the pace, but when the bell rang I went full gas… Alhamdulillah I managed to take first place,” he said after the race.
Azizulhasni congratulated Shah Firdaus on the victory, acknowledging his strong performance despite giving his best effort in the final.
He also expressed optimism about his competitor’s form ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
In the women’s elite keirin, Kedah rider Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri claimed gold, ahead of Johor’s Nur Alyssa Mohd Farid, who took silver, while Amira Rosidi of Team Cahya Mata settled for bronze.
Nurul Izzah said she was satisfied with her performance and hopes to maintain momentum for the sprint event.
The four-day championship, which began yesterday, concludes on Friday.
