Shah 'owns' Asiad results, legs lack punch
NAGOYA: National track rider Shah Firdaus Sahrom admitted that he has yet to regain the pace he needs to be competitive at the highest level after undergoing knee surgery late last year.
Shah Firdaus Sahrom, a national track rider, admitted he has yet to regain the pace required to compete at the highest level following knee surgery last year. The 31-year-old finished fifth in the men's keirin at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and did not advance past the second round repechage in the men's individual sprint. His personal best in the individual sprint qualifying round was 9.481 seconds, but he clocked 9.850 seconds in the race, indicating his legs lacked the extra push needed to succeed.
Shah expressed determination to improve, stating that the form was there, but his legs did not provide the additional push when it mattered. He expressed no excuses, saying, "I own the result and I will learn from it and keep moving forward." Despite a bumpy road, Shah remains committed to the challenge, adding, "Whatever comes next, I will be ready, one step at a time."
National team head coach Harnizam Basri revealed that Shah still suffers from scar tissue on his right knee due to the surgery. The Muar-born rider and the rest of the national elite squad will compete at the Shanghai World Championships from Oct 14-18, marking the beginning of the Olympic qualifying window for Los Angeles 2028. Shah thanked his coaches, team staff, and NSI, RTG, and NSC for their hard work, sacrifice, and support during his recovery and return to the racing circuit.
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