Meeting idol Azizulhasni Awang as a teenager inspired track cyclist Shah Firdaus Sahrom to follow in his footsteps and one day compete in the Olympics for Malaysia.
Shah still remembers the first time he met the former world keirin champion in 2012, days after the latter returned from the London Olympics.
Shah, who was 16 then, was part of the national backup programme at the time.
"Assistant coach Zamani (Mustarudin) asked me if I wanted to meet my idol. It was already late, and I was about to sleep. But the adrenaline kicked in, and I immediately got ready and left my room (to meet Azizulhasni)," said Shah on Facebook yesterday.
"This picture (with Azizulhasni) was taken nine years ago when Azizulhasni returned from the London Olympics.
"For a boy who really loves to cycle, meeting Azizulhasni meant a lot.
"That meeting lit a fire in the boy wearing the white shirt (Shah). It planted the dream to one day follow in his footsteps and race at the world's biggest sporting event."
Shah added that he has come a long way since that day but is happy that his dream is about to come true as he is set to race alongside Azizulhasni at the Tokyo Olympics.
"It's true that dreams can become a reality. The boy in the white shirt (Shah) will also carry the nation's hopes (with Azizulhasni) at the Olympics," added Shah.
"The journey and the struggle over the last nine years have been tough because (qualifying for) the Olympics comes at a high price.
"It started with a dream, but with hard work and prayers, the Olympic dream is about to become a reality."
The Johor-born has improved by leaps and bounds over the past two seasons and had even defeated Azizulhasni in warm-up races in Australia earlier this year.
Shah and Azizulhasni will both compete in the men's individual sprint and keirin events on Aug 4-8 at the Izu Velodrome in Shizuoka.
Their focus, however, will be on the keirin where both riders have a better chance of finishing on the podium.