Hafiz Sufian won silver in the 1km time trial and a bronze in the keirin.
2010/04/16
Arnaz M. Khairul
arnaz@nst.com.my
HAFIZ Sufian resurrected his career by providing the saving grace for the national track team at the Asian Cycling Championships in Sharjah, the United Arab Emirates, yesterday.
When all the expectations were on world number one Azizul Hasni Awang to deliver, it was Hafiz who returned with two medals -- a silver in the 1km time trial and a bronze in the keirin as the senior squad took a huge blow to their egos.
Hafiz, a replacement for Rizal Tisin as the main 1km time trial rider, did well to retain the silver medal, which was won by the latter in last year's meet.
Hafiz clocked 1:06.562s while China's Han Tao retained the gold medal with a time of 1:05.277s.
The keirin was expected to be a walk in the park for World Championships silver medallist Azizul, but the 22-year-old failed to make the final, leaving Hafiz to battle alone.
Hafiz, who was last year's silver medallist in the keirin, lost out to the duo of Kazunari Watanabe and Kazuya Narita, who repeated a one-two finish for Japan.
"I was a bit anxious to know how the races would pan out here, after hearing so many complaints about the heat, the dust and the bumpy track at the Zayed Velodrome," said Hafiz.
"I just thought that no matter where we competed, we just have to race to win. I got the two medals which I'm really thankful for and it makes me want to go for more."
It was a satisfying day for Hafiz, who had quit the sport for two years before making a return last year.
In the Asian Junior Championships held simultaneously,
Malaysia won two bronze medals through Mohd Arfy Qhairant Amran in the keirin and the team pursuit of Shahrilwan Shaari, Hamdan Hamidun, Mohd. Al Ghazali Hamid dan Amirul Amar Jafri.
Nurazimah Abdul Rashid delivered a bronze medal in the junior women's points race.
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