January return for Rizal

2009/11/29

By Arnaz M. Khairul

FREAK accidents happen, but the one that happened to Rizal Tisin is now casting a dark cloud over his career. After initially being told he could expect to be out of action for only three weeks, the World Championships 1km time trial bronze medallist's condition hasn't improved as expected and he now expects only to return in January.

Rizal was a victim of a hit-and-run in Sri Petaling on Oct 14, in which he fractured his left ankle and underwent surgery on Oct 19.

The woman behind the steering wheel of the car that hit Rizal and national team mechanic Mohd Zaki Abdul Aziz has been apprehended by police.

"It has been five weeks now and I can only train on the ergo trainer and do some work in the gym. It is starting to be very disheartening," said Rizal, 24, yesterday.

Head coach John Beasley had contemplated asking Rizal to return for the final two rounds of the UCI World Cup in Cali, Colombia on Dec 10-12 and in Beijing on Jan 22-24.

Rizal was a victim of a hit-and-run in Sri Petaling on Oct 14 where he fractured his left ankle.

"I have another check-up next week to see whether there is any progress. But thus far the doctors have informed me that I'll probably only be able to start racing again in January," said Rizal.

"As such, John has said maybe I'll only be used for the team sprint event in our first target, which is the World Championships."

Rizal had initially delayed his return to the elite squad's training base in Melbourne, planning to begin his World Cup campaign in Cali, before the accident happened.

The World Championships are in Copenhagen, Denmark on March 24-28.

"John said the team will have to do without me and gather enough points to qualify for the World Championships for me," said Rizal.

"It will be just about focusing on the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games which are later in 2010."

"Being told that I would be out for three weeks initially was already bad enough. But now, to know that I'll only likely be able to race in January, is the worst news I've got this year."