Selangor: A dream of competing at a velodrome after watching the Malaysia Games (SUKMA) on television a few years ago has propelled Sarawak track cyclist Adib Andhar Andan to double-gold success at the Selangor 2026 edition, here.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, today, Adib wrapped up his second SUKMA appearance on a high by completing a double-gold haul, winning the men's sprint after delivering Sarawak's maiden men's keirin gold yesterday at the National Velodrome, here.
After putting on a sublime performance in the first race, the 20-year-old blazed around the track again, leaving Johor's Ahmad Zharif Ahmad Nazri much further behind to bag the gold medal, while Selangor's Yu Jing Liang defeated Negeri Sembilan's Muhammad Luqman Haqim Ali Badrun 2-0 to clinch bronze.
Recalling the moment that sparked his ambition, Adib said he was watching the SUKMA competition with a friend when the thought of competing at a velodrome first crossed his mind. At that time, while watching track cycling on television during the 2022 edition, he really felt a strong desire to get into the velodrome. "I told my friends that racing at the velodrome is great-it's not too hot-and, Alhamdulillah, I've now experienced it and won two gold medals for Sarawak," he told reporters.
Adib said his journey into cycling was never part of a lifelong plan, as he initially took up the sport simply to lose weight after gaining weight during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Kuching-born said he began cycling along the roads before being spotted and invited to join a cycling club, which eventually opened the door for him to pursue the sport more seriously. He said his dream of racing on the track only became a reality when he entered the velodrome for the first time around February last year under the national back-up squad. Prior to switching to track cycling, Adib said he had competed in road cycling at the previous SUKMA in his hometown, Sarawak, but failed to win a single medal.
Meanwhile, Nur Alyssa Mohd Farid of Johor emerged as women's sprint champion by seeing off Selangor's Yong Ann Tung 2-0 while bronze belonged to Nur Umairah Qhaisara Zulfikha Razak from Penang, who triumphed against Kedahan cyclist Nurain Syazwienafahmi Mohd Farid, 2-0.
SUKMA Selangor 2026, which kicked off Aug 15 will end tomorrow.