MELAKA: Twins Muhammad Ameer and Muhammad Ameen Ahmad Kamal may have begun their passion of cycling in their hometown here, but they had to take a different road to gain glory and gold.
The brothers, 22, who started cycling at 16 in Bukit Baru, took a bold step to leave their hometown to pursue their cycling career with the Terengganu Cycling Association in 2014.
On Aug 22, both of them, together with Nik Mohd Azwan Zulkiflie, 27, and Muhammad Fauzan Ahmad Lutfi, 31, created history by winning the team time trial gold medal at the Kuala Lumpur Sea Games, which was Malaysia’s first in that event.
Ameer said: “It was a sweet victory for us. We never expected to win gold. The medal is dedicated to our parents, coach Fairoz Izni Abdul Ghani, cycling association members, friends and supporters of the Malaysian team.”
The twins were feted as their friends and supporters gathered at Melaka’s first bicycle-themed cafe here on Friday.
Present were their father, Ahmad Kamal Samsudin, 45, mother, Zalina Sabdin, 44, and uncle Rosman Sabdin, 50.
Ameer said: “We owe a lot to our uncle Rosman, who nurtured our interest and encouraged us to cycle with him when we were young.
“If not for him, we will not be here today,” he said.
The cafe was filled with balloons and cheers from the crowd, with guests waiting to take pictures and chat with the gold medallists.
Cafe owner Annabelle Tui said: “We threw this party as we are so proud of them. Never before has Malaysia won in the cycling (men’s team time trial) event in the Sea Games, and they are also anak Melaka.
“This moment is worth celebrating.”
The brothers made a successful debut in the team time trial over 51km with a time of 1:01:37 to beat Thailand and Vietnam.
Kamal said the twins started off playing hockey before they switched to cycling after Ameer injured his hand.
“I have never objected to whatever they want to pursue. My wife and I fully supported them when they went into cycling.
“Their victory in the Sea Games made me proud and everything has paid off. It is a joy to see their passion and hard work in achieving their goal,” he said.