KNOWING that her family members will be there cheering her on from the stands is what’s driving Fatehah Mustapa to become the nation’s Wonder Woman of track cycling at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games next month.

The two-time Olympian has been entered for all four events in track sprinting, to be held at the National Velodrome Malaysia in Nilai, Negri Sembilan.

Fatehah, making her third appearance in the SEA Games, will compete in the sprint, keirin and 500m time trial as well as combine with Farina Shawati Mohd Adnan in the team sprint.

Fatehah’s father, Mustapa Kassim, and other family members are expected to travel from Kuala Terengganu to cheer her on as she seeks to make history by becoming the first track cyclist to bag four SEA Games gold medals.

“They are my biggest supporters and their presence will spur me to go all out to achieve my SEA Games goal.

“I do not want to disappoint them as they are coming from so far to see me race and this could be my last SEA Games.

“I’m not sure if track cycling will be held in the Philippines in 2019.

“This will also be the first time I’ll be racing in our own national indoor track,” said Fatehah, who has been based in Melbourne, Australia, since 2007.

Fatehah bagged three gold medals in sprint, 500m time trial and team sprint with Jupha Somnet when track cycling was last contested in Indonesia in 2011.

“I only have problems beating the top riders from Asia. It should not be a problem winning at the SEA Games as the only competition is likely to come from the Thai cyclists.

“Still, anything can happen on competition day and I need to be in top shape as it won’t be easy to compete in four events over three days,” said Fatehah, who bagged three bronzes in sprint, 500m time trial and team sprint in her Games debut in Korat, Thailand, in 2007.

The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) have set a lofty target of winning 13 out of the 20 gold medals at stake in the KL Games.

The track squad have been targeted to win 11 out of the 13 events while the remaining two gold medals are expected to come from the road cyclists.

Reigning keirin world champion Azizul­hasni Awang is also returning for the chance to win a SEA Games gold medal on home soil.

Azizulhasni, who made the nation proud with his storming win in the World Track Cycling Championships in Hong Kong in March, will compete in individual sprint and keirin.


Read more at http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/cycling/2017/07/13/riding-into-history-family-to-cheer-fatehah-on-as-cyclist-eyes-fourgold-haul/#7sLFXQFPjR2yPA5W.99