Cycling

Sea Games: Amirul loses gold in criterium photo finish

PHNOM PENH: Cyclist Nur Amirul Fakhruddin Mazuki lost the gold medal by the narrowest of margins in the Sea Games men's 55km criterium race in Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, today.

With the average temperature at 42 degrees Celsius, Amirul and Indonesia's Terry Yudha Kusuma clocked an identical time of 1:13:38sec.

After a prolonged review of the photo finish, the Indonesian was declared the winner, while Amirul was awarded the silver medal.Ronald Nozuelo Oranza (1:13:29s) of the Philippines won the bronze.

Despite losing the gold, coach Sayuti Zahit said Amirul's silver was a bonus to the Malaysian cycling team.

"In the Hanoi edition last year, we went home empty-handed, but this time, we performed well and won silver despite the hot weather.

"The temperature here had reached 47 degrees Celsius days before the event. We trained in hot weather, and on a race day, the cyclists were prepared.

"The silver will inspire the team in the road races tomorrow."

In the women's 38.8km criterium, Nur Aishah Zubir won a bronze after a photo finish as all podium finishers recorded identical times of 55.19s.

Thailand's Jutatip Maneephan was declared the winner, while Vietnam's Nguyen Thi That won silver.

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