Shah Firdaus Ends Four-Year Wait to Reclaim National Keirin Title After Beating Azizulhasni
NILAI: National track cyclist Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom delivered a commanding performance to reclaim the men’s elite keirin crown at the 2026 National Track Cycling Championships, overcoming a strong late challenge from Malaysian cycling icon Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang at the National Velodrome in Nilai.
The Johor rider’s victory marked his return to the top of the national podium for the first time since 2022, ending a four-year wait and reaffirming his status as one of Malaysia’s leading track cycling talents ahead of a busy international calendar.
In a highly anticipated final featuring some of the country’s top riders, Shah Firdaus adopted a measured approach during the early stages of the race, conserving energy while closely monitoring the movements of his rivals.
The decisive moment came in the final lap when the bell sounded and the pace intensified dramatically. Rather than responding immediately to attacks around him, Shah Firdaus remained composed and launched a powerful acceleration that allowed him to maintain a narrow advantage all the way to the finish line.
Behind him, Azizulhasni attempted one of his trademark late surges in a bid to snatch victory at the last moment. However, the experienced veteran was unable to close the gap as Shah Firdaus crossed the line first to secure the gold medal.
Azizulhasni, competing under Team Azizul, settled for silver, while Selangor rider Muhammad Fadhil Mohd Zonis completed the podium in third place.
Speaking after the race, Shah Firdaus said patience and timing were crucial factors behind his success.
He explained that he deliberately held back during the opening laps to preserve energy for the final sprint, knowing that the race would likely be decided in the closing moments.
“I stayed patient during the early laps and focused on maintaining my position. Once the final lap began, I committed fully and gave everything I had. Thankfully, it was enough to secure the win,” he said.
The victory is seen as an encouraging sign for Malaysian track cycling as preparations intensify for two major events in 2026 — the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
For Azizulhasni, the defeat did little to diminish his admiration for his younger teammate. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic keirin silver medallist acknowledged Shah Firdaus’ performance and praised his ability to execute a near-perfect race under pressure.
He also expressed satisfaction at seeing Shah Firdaus regain top form at a crucial stage of the season, noting that stronger competition within the national setup would ultimately benefit Malaysia on the international stage.
Meanwhile, the women’s elite keirin event was dominated by Kedah rider Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri, who continued her impressive run of form by capturing another national title.
Nurul Izzah outperformed Johor’s Nur Alyssa Mohd Farid, who secured silver, while Team Cahya Mata Anis rider Amira Rosidi claimed bronze.
The national champion said the victory had boosted her confidence ahead of the women’s sprint event scheduled for the following day.
The four-day National Track Cycling Championships, which began on Tuesday, have attracted many of Malaysia’s leading riders and are serving as a key platform for athletes seeking selection and preparation opportunities before major international competitions in the coming months.
With Glasgow and Aichi-Nagoya on the horizon, performances in Nilai are expected to play a significant role in shaping Malaysia’s track cycling ambitions for the year ahead.
