SABAH cyclist Lim Chun Kiat, who is studying to be a chef, eyes a sizzling run in the Asian Track Championships in New Delhi this weekend.
The 21-year-old was selected for his first international competition, the Asian meet, by virtue of being the two-time national champion in the men's elite 4km individual pursuit.
At last month's National Championships in Nilai, Chun Kiat won the event in a time of 4:29.728 while his teammate Waldron Chee was second with 4:32.639
For Chun Kiat, going from the national meet to the Asian championships may be a case of out of the frying pan into the fire, but he is ready for the challenge.
The culinary arts student said he expects scorching times from Asia's best, but he hopes this will propel him to break the national record of 4:25.352 set by Eiman Firdaus Mohd Zamri at the 2017 Kuala Lumpur Sea Games.
"The earlier plan was to do well in New Delhi and earn a chance to compete in the Hangzhou Asian Games (originally scheduled for September) but it was postponed to next year.
"So this Asian championships will be my biggest assignment this year," said Chun Kiat.
"I believe the other cyclists in the region will also be focusing on doing well in the Asian championships due to the Asian Games' postponement.
"It's not going to be easy, but I intend to ride solid and get a good personal best time.
"Hopefully, it can also get me into the medal rounds," he said.
At the 2020 Asian Championships in South Korea, the Malaysian team won one gold, two silver and two bronze.
The gold came from Azizulhasni Awang in the men's sprint, but he will skip the Asian meet this time after undergoing corrective heart surgery recently.