KUALA LUMPUR: Track cyclist Zuhairie Ahmad Tarmizi fought through the pain barrier to deliver Malaysia its first medal, a gold, at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games today.
Zuhairie said he has been battling lower back pain over the last two months but that did not stop him from setting a new games record en route to winning the men's C4-C5 1,000 metre time trial final today.
The 36-year-old said he was determined to finish on the top step of the podium at the Izu Velodrome in Shizuoka.
"I really went all out during qualifying as I wanted to make sure I made the cut for the final. It was a very strong field, so I had to be sure," said Zuhairie when contacted in Japan today.
"The final was a bit different because the velodrome became hotter towards the afternoon but I just maintained my focus and tried my best to win it.
"I am proud to be able to win gold for my country and also get a new record. It made all my sacrifices worthwhile.
"I have also had a lower-back injury for two months which I have been managing through icing and physiotherapy.
"I just tried to block out the pain. I just thought to myself to go all out and deal with the pain after the race."
Zuhairie clocked one minute and 5.361 seconds to secure a comfortable win in the final at the Izu Velodrome in Shizuoka.
Thailand's Jaturong Niwanti (1:07.206s) came in second while Indonesia's Sufyan Saori (1:08.166s) completed the podium.
Zuhairie had earlier today clocked a new Games record of 1:04.882s to top qualifying.
The former meet record of 1:07.311s had been set by China's Lai Shanzhang during the Hangzhou Games in 2023.
The father of four dedicated the win to his family, especially his wife Hanis Najihah Jusoh who has been holding fort at home in his absence.
"I have been away from the family for two months now. I was training in China and have now come here to Japan for the Games. After this, I will be heading to the Netherlands for the world championships," he said.
"I want to dedicate this win to my family, my wife, my children and both my parents.
"My wife has been taking care of the kids alone, our youngest is eight months old."
It was a solid start for the cycling squad in Shizuoka as Zuhairie's teammate Yusof Hafizi Shaharuddin also clinched a bronze in the men's C1-2 3,000 metre individual pursuit today.
Zuhairie still has one more event to compete in at the Asian Games. He will take to the road for the men's C4-5 road race on Friday.
He is no stranger to road racing having won his first Asian Para Games gold in the same C4-5 road race during the 2018 Indonesia edition.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd