PHNOM PENH: Cyclist Nur Amirul Fakhruddin Mazuki left his wife and two children back home just to prepare for the Sea Games here.
And today, his sacrifices were rewarded when he topped the Sea Games men's 150.6km road race in a photo finish in Angkor Wat.
It was his second medal of the Games after his silver effort in the criterium on Thursday.
Indonesia's Aiman Cahyadi and Ronald Oranza of the Philippines won the silver and bronze, respectively.
All three cyclists clocked 3:22:50.00s.
Amirull was supported by teammates Akmal Hakim Zakaria, Nur Aiman Zariff, Shahrul Mat Amin and Nur Aiman Rosli during the race.
Aiman Zariff, who won in Hanoi, finished 19th this time.
Amirul said it was a worthwhile campaign despite having to leave his wife and two children to prepare for the Games.
"The victory is not for me alone. It is a team effort," said Amirul in his third Sea Games appearance.
"I was in my best mental and physical shape for the Games, which attracted top cyclists from other countries.
"I was sad when I left my family to train before the Games."
It was Malaysia's second consecutive title in the road race after Nur Aiman Zariff's feat in Hanoi last year.
National cycling coach Sayuti Zahit said teamwork was the key to success today.
"The entire team were tactically perfect today. The cyclists absorbed the pressure and stayed in the breakaway group the entire race.