Fatehah Mustapa does Sime Darby Foundation Track Cycling Team proud with first gold win
KUALA LUMPUR, 11 March 2013 - Sime Darby Foundation track cyclist, Fatehah Mustapa did Malaysia proud today by bringing in the gold in the Women's Elite Sprint Final, beating China's Shi Jinjing by 2-1.
Fatehah, who turns 23 tomorrow, could not have given herself a more perfect gift. This is also her first Sprint title.
On Sunday, Fatehah bagged a bronze, clocking 35.681 in the women's elite 500m time trial, beating her previous personal best of 35.769 when she placed fourth at the Guangzhou Asian Games in 2010.
Foundation chairman Tun Musa Hitam, congratulated Fatehah for her excellent showing in the Asian Cycling Championships 2013 in New Delhi, India.
"My personal congratulations to Fatehah for her sterling performance. Your wish to bring back a gold medal in this championship came true."
Fellow team member, Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, although unable to make the cut in the semi-finals in order to advance to the Men's Elite Keirin, nevertheless managed to qualify himself for the 7-12 classification race.
Azizulhasni lost to Malaysian track cyclist Josiah Ng last Sunday in the 200m Sprint Quarter Final. Azizulhasni was later ranked sixth in the 5-8 classification race.
The ACC marks Azizulhasn's return to track cycling since competing in the 2012 London Olympics.
Although he did not manage any podium placing in his events, Tun Musa commended Azizulhasni for his performance, given that he only had less than one month's training.
He added, "We know you did your best and we hope for you not to be discouraged by this. You still have a long way to go. We are always with both Azizulhasni and Fatehah every step of the way in their journey to the 2016 Rio Olympics. As a small nation competing against some of Asia's track cycling powerhouses like China and Iran, Fatehah's win proves that we are a force to be reckoned with".
The Foundation also congratulates the other national cyclists that won gold - Muhammad Firdaus Mohd Zonis, Irwandie Lakasek and Josiah Ng.
The national dream of bringing home an Olympic medal for track cycling has been re-ignited with YSD's recent announcement in February that it was committing RM2.85 million to sponsor Azizulhasni and Fatehah in their pursuit to compete at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The funding for three-and-a-half years from February 2013 to August 2016 will cover team entries and fees, flight tickets, travelling expenses, racing attire, travel equipment, and allowances.
YSD's funding will enable Azizulhasni and Fatehah to participate in 42 races under this new sponsorship, compared with 15 under the 2012 Road to London Olympics programme.
The duo kicked off the 2016 Road to Rio programme with their participation in the ACC Delhi competition in India.