“Terengganu was said to be the powerhouse for competitive cyclists, but if we look at previous SUKMA (Malaysian Games), we (Johor athletes) have proven our worth by grabbing all the cycling gold medals,” Olympian and National Track Cyclist athlete Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom, 29, said to the reporters before receiving a sports incentive from Kopi Rakyat at The Topp, Toppen Shopping Centre, Johor.
The Muar-born athlete hopes that the general perception will change as a result of Johor athletes competing in the particular sport, dismissing any intent to be patriotic, but taking into account that Johor has a world-class velodrome that Johoreans can fully utilise, and he hopes that related agencies and departments will do their part in grooming new aspiring champions from Johor, particularly in track cycling.
Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom had competed in the Olympic Paris 2024 and returned with an injury, which he updated he is recovering really well from.
“I have been back in training since last week, a few weeks after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games ended. Thankfully, the injuries sustained during the games have recovered,” he said.
When asked if he is ready to take on the responsibility as the main national cyclist should Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang officially not perform at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, he said yes, citing his readiness when he captained the national team in several international tournaments, such as the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.
“I am always ready to take on the responsibility, ever since I joined this elite team. I have also proven when leading the team at the Commonwealth and Asian Games, we got good results.
“So I don’t think there is a problem, I know sooner or later I will take on this responsibility. So I hope the generation after me will also be prepared because it may be their turn to take on the responsibility,” he said.
Muhammad Shah Firdaus stated that ‘The Pocket Rocketman’ will continue to be a mentor for himself in order to meet Malaysians’ high expectations and win the gold medal at the Olympic Games.
Although the 2028 Olympics are four years away, training and preparations have already begun.
“The expectations (of Malaysians) are extremely high, and Datuk Azizulhasni has elevated the cycling sport to new heights, so I must also be mentally and physically prepared.
