NILAI: National para riders Khairul Hazwan Wahab and pilot Nur Rizuan Zainal clinched an inspiring win in the men's individual pursuit (B) event at the Para Asian Track Championships (ATC) on Sunday.
The duo edged favourites Afiq Afify Rizan and Khairul Adha Rasol (pilot) in the final, clinching the win in four minutes and 41.211 seconds at the National Velodrome.
Aiman Asyraff Ahmad Bajuri and Faizal Mohamed Noh (pilot) took bronze for a Malaysian clean sweep.
Rizuan had only been paired with Hazwan for two months when he became a victim of a hit and run barely weeks prior to the Kuala Lumpur Asean Para Games last year.
The 32-year-old suffered a serious spine injury and was forced to miss the games. He could only resume training in December.
"Obviously, I am very grateful to win this for Malaysia together with Hazwan. The Asian jersey is something we have been eying for a long time," said Rizuan.
"We expected a tough race against Afiq and they led at the start. We stayed calm and pulled ourselves back in front and maintained it till the end.
"This is the only event I am competing in as I have not fully recovered from my injury. I am still being monitored by the National Sports Institute."
Hazwan said he is delighted with the time they clocked.
"I am very happy with this time. If we can maintain it, we will be able to be competitive at the World Cup level. We have improved a lot,” said the 26-year-old.
"Hopefully with our performance here we will be considered for the World Championships in Rio next month and the World Cup in Belgium in May."
Malaysia's only other gold came in the same discipline in the women's category through Nur Azlia Syafinaz Mohd Zais and Noraidillina J. Sam (pilot) who won in 3:55:076s.
National teammates Nur Syahida Tajudin and Nurul Suhada Zainal (pilot) took silver in 4:07.925s.