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Fatehah scores a first for country

UCI WORLD CUP: Historic achievement winning silver in keirin

 FATEHAH Mustapa notched another piece of history for herself when she emerged the first Malaysian woman to win a UCI World Cup medal, after finishing second in the keirin in Round Two in Guadalajara, Mexico Sunday.

It could have so easily been gold for Fatehah, but for revenge exacted by Hong Kong's Lee Wai Sze, whom the Malaysian beat in the keirin final to bag her Asian title last year.
Asia's top two keirin riders also topped the podium with Wai Sze standing on the step above Fatehah this time, followed by France's Sandie Claire in third.

"I was overjoyed and when I turned to coach John Beasley, he looked like the happiest man here and very satisfied with my current form," said Fatehah, 24, when contacted.
Fatehah said she had moved up from the back of the pack, looking for an opening and when the opportunity came, she did not let go.

"John told me to fully commit to it when I have a chance to go to the front.
"I just followed that plan, went for it and I delivered the silver medal," said Fatehah.
It has been a long journey to this level for Fatehah, the reigning Asian women's keirin champion who has been based in Melbourne since 2009.

"This is thanks to sponsors Sime Darby, the National Sports Council and National Sports Institute who have been fully behind our track programme in Melbourne all this while," said Fatehah.
With the World Cup season concluded, Fatehah and the rest of the squad have a month to prepare for the World Championships in Cali, Colombia on Feb 26-March 2.

"On this form, I am confident. I am really targeting a podium in the World Championships now.
"We have a month to go and I am going to be working harder to achieve that," said Fatehah.
Earlier yesterday, Azizulhasni Awang failed to make the knockout stages of the 200m sprint when he posted a 20th fastest time of 10.052 seconds in qualifying.

Fatehah, Jupha Somnet, Azizulhasni and Josiah Ng have all qualified for the World Championships.

From left: Fatehah Mustapa, Hong Kong’s Wai Sze Lee and France’s Sandie Clair pose on the podium after the UCI World Cup keirin final in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Sunday. AFP pic
By ARNAZ M. KHAIRUL | arnaz@nst.com.my
Read more: CYCLING: Fatehah scores a first for country - Racing - New Straits Times

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