THERE was no challenging the Kedah girls’ cycling team as they swept all three medals in the Malaysia Games (Sukma) women’s cross-country Olympic event.
Phi Kun Pan took the medal with a time of 1 hour 21 minutes and 12 seconds, finishing approximately four minutes ahead of teammate Nurul Nabilah Mohd Asri, who claimed the silver.
Fellow Kedahan Nur Fitrah Shaari completed the podium, taking the bronze with a time of 1’25:54.
With the addition of these medals, Kedah have surpassed their target of three gold medals, three silvers and three bronzes with a haul of five golds, three silvers and two bronzes.
The 21-year-old Phi Kun’s victory adds to her impressive track record, which includes a gold medal at the 2023 Asian Road Cycling Championships in Thailand and a bronze at the 2024 Asian Mountain Bike Championships in Putrajaya for the XCO event.
Expectations were high for her because of her recent achievements, and the Kedah team had set their sights high because of her.
“At Sukma 2022, I contributed one gold medal in the mountain bike category, but this time, the responsibility felt even heavier,” said Phi Kun.
“I worked really hard and prepared thoroughly to win gold for Kedah.
‘‘The burden has been lifted off my shoulders.” Boy’s individual: 1. Mohd Syawal Mazlin (Prk) 1.18.28, 2. Saniy Syu’aib Mohd Safiee (Ter) 1.22.35, 3. Mohd Effan Wafiy Nor Effandy (Ter) 1.27.33. Cross country Olympic Girl’s individual: 1. Phi Kun Pan (Ked) 1.21.12, 2. Nurul Nabilah Mohd Asri (Ked) 1.25.38, 3. Nur Fitrah Shaari (Ked) 1.25.54. Mixed relay: 1. Kedah 1.07.57, 2. Johor 1.14.20, 3. Sabah 1.24.00.
