KUALA LUMPUR: He arrived on the scene to mysterious glances, his curled locks and features had already set Mohd Azim Ibrahim apart from the rest of the young cyclists bidding to make a career in the sport.
The 12-year old from Kampung Parit Setongkat in Muar, as he does in his daily life, took everything in his stride and let his legs do the talking as he rode to his first ever win in the under-13 race at the second leg of the Junior Cycling Malaysia (JCM) in Ipoh last Sunday.
"It's normal. I'm used to it," said SK Parit Setongkat pupil Azim, of Nigerian-Malaysian parentage, as some of his peers fondled his hair jokingly after he received his medal just five months after picking up the sport.
"I'm different because my father is Nigerian. The only problem I have with my hair is that there's only one barber in Muar who knows how to trim it. When I tried other barbers they never got it right."
Not only did Azim's mixed heritage provide a platform that had peaked the interest of Bandar Maharani Cycling Club president and head coach Firdaus Daud, his cycling genes are also well established.
National track elite cyclist Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom and his younger brother Mohd Ridwan, didn't just preceed him as riders discovered by the Bandar Maharani Cycling Club, they are also his cousins.
"Of course, they played a big part in me choosing cycling. With Nigerian blood, people always told me I would be a good footballer. But I saw how my cousins became cyclists and was always fascinated by the expensive bicycles they rode," said Azim.
"I knew my mother couldn't afford to give me those bicycles. The only way I could ride them is by becoming a cyclist. So, I grabbed the chance," added Azim, who says his Nigerian name is Amobi.
Azim also sets himself apart from the rest by speaking fluent English and seems a polished act, with his confidence and laid back attitude.
His mother Hafida Osman is self-employed and lives in Muar, while Azim says his father now lives in Nigeria.
Azim and his 14-year old teammate Mohd Justin Felix Nagel, who is of German-Malaysian parentage, are not just part of an experiment by the Bandar Maharani Cycling Club in Muar, they are the brightest sparks.
Firdaus said the pair are among their biggest talents.
"Azim is now definitely our biggest 12-year old talent. He finished fifth in his first race, then won his second race. That already tells you a lot about him," said Firdaus.
"Justin will be the next big thing, but we need longer races for him to really show his talent."