Shah's Shanghai world meet role yet to be decided, says coach

KUALA LUMPUR: National track cycling head coach Harnizam Basri has not yet determined whether he will include Shah Firdaus Sahrom in the men's team sprint at the Shanghai World Championships. Shah is not eligible for the individual sprint or keirin events, so the team sprint is his sole qualifying event. Coach Harnizam stated that it is premature to make a decision.

Shah has arrived in Shanghai, but it remains unclear if he will compete in the team sprint. He is currently under trial, and the final choice will be made on race day. Fadhil Zonis, Akmal Jusena, or Ridwan Sahrom - Shah's younger brother - have emerged as Malaysia's primary contenders for the men's team sprint over the past two seasons.

If Shah gains approval to race in Shanghai, one of them will need to withdraw from the lineup. Shah has been recuperating from knee surgery and has yet to reach his previous best time of 9.481 seconds from early last year. He achieved a respectable 9.850 seconds during the men's individual sprint qualifying at the recent Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

Fadhil Zonis will represent Malaysia in the men's keirin and individual sprint events, while Azizulhasni Awang, Izzah Izzati Asri, Nur Alyssa Farid, and Aliana Azizan are slated to compete in the women's team sprint. Anis Amira Rosidi is set to serve as a backup rider for the team.