FATEHAH Mustapa revelled in the limelight after becoming the first Malaysian female cyclist to win an Asian Games medal with silver in the keirin yesterday.
The 25-year-old rider from Hulu Terengganu crossed the finish line behind Hong Kong’s Olympic keirin bronze medallist Lee Wai Sze at the Incheon International Velodrome for a surprise medal.
Fatehah said she was just happy to be in the final six alongside several illustrious cyclists and anything more is considered a bonus.
“This silver medal means the world to me,” said Fatehah. “I am so happy and satisfied even if it’s just silver and not gold.
“I did not expect to get a medal as just making the final was good enough for me. It was a strong field in the final and they are all riders of top class.
“So this medal is a bonus and most invaluable to me.”
Fatehah was just half-a-wheel behind Wai Sze, a gap of 0.700s, and finished in front of Zhong Tianshi, the bronze medalist who was one of three cyclists from China in the final.
“I am hoping this medal will spur me on to get another one in the next event,” said Fatehah, who will start in the individual sprint tomorrow.
Fatehah’s success comes after the men’s sprint team failed to make the medal rounds on Saturday though they too are eyeing for success in the keirin on Thursday.
No Malaysian had ever won a medal in women’s cycling and Fatehah’s is the 11th medal won by Malaysia in the sport at the Asian Games.