Cycling

Chun Kiat back on track

Track cyclist Lim Chun Kiat has had his fair share of ups and downs this year. Chun Kiat, who hails from Penampang, started the year on a tough note following a serious accident in January.

The Sabah-born suffered multiple fractures to his face, which required the insertion of two titanium plates to facilitate his recovery.

But he has since returned to the track.

The rider achieved a new personal best in the men's individual pursuit with a 4:30.570s at the National Velodrome in Nilai recently.

He is now just five seconds off the current national record of 4:25.352s, held by Eiman Firdaus Zamri.

Chun Kiat, who won silver at last year's National Track Championships, is determined to break the national record.

"My training was affected by the accident and the Covid-19 pandemic this year," said the 20-year-old.

"The accident happened when we were heading to a restaurant at the bottom of a slope. The rest is blank as I suffered a concussion.

"My friends told me that I had emergency braked to avoid a car but could not avoid it. I flew and landed on my face.

"I had to spend one and a half months off the bike after the accident in January. At first, I wasn't sure if I could continue with the sport, but instead, it became a source of motivation to do better in cycling.

"It took me five months before I could regain my previous level of performance.

"I am happy that I was able to improve my personal best by five seconds.

"Hopefully, my preparations for next year will be better. I will definitely go for the national record again as I am just five seconds away.

"It will definitely take a lot of hard work, but I am up for the challenge."

The culinary arts student added that he has put education on the back burner for the time being.

"I have been studying pastry. I like to cook, baking specifically," Chun Kiat added.

"I have also experimented with my sports-oriented recipes. I do pack cookies whenever I go for training rides.

"I had postponed my studies to focus on the Malaysia Games this year, which has been postponed to next year.

"It is a bit hard to study because our training rides are quite long.

"I might resume my studies in 2022, but that depends. If I get selected for the national team, then I will have to rethink it."

Chun Kiat has been cycling since he was 13 but only started training seriously when he was 16.

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