KUALA LUMPUR: Track cyclist Shah Firdaus Sahrom is prepared to sacrifice his race in the Olympics for Azizulhasni Awang.
When asked about the scenario of him racing with Azizulhasni in the same race at the Paris Olympics in July, Shah said he had no issue with being a "sacrifice" in helping the Pocket Rocketman win Malaysia's first ever Olympic gold.
"Azizulhasni and I have been together for a long time in the track team, both at Asian and world levels. We have tried various strategies, and hopefully, at the Paris Olympics, we both qualify for the final.
"We'll see whether one of us needs to sacrifice, and we'll figure it out," he said.
Shah, who is dubbed The Terminator, confirmed that he has secured his spot for the Paris Olympics after winning the men's sprint bronze at the Asian Championships in New Delhi last Friday.
"I have secured my qualification based on points and ranking for the Olympics,"
said Shah, 28, after the Johor Sports Awards ceremony at the Johor Persada Convention Centre last night.
The Muar-rider was crowned as the Johor Sportsman of the Year, finishing ahead of weightlifting champion Aniq Kasdan and national shuttler Ng Tze Yong.
Shah said now that his place in the Paris Games is assured, he will use the Nations Cup in Hong Kong from March 15-17 as a tune-up for the Olympics.
Shah, who won a bronze each (in keirin and sprint) at the Hangzhou Asian Games, said he will also undergo training in Australia and a month before the Paris Olympics, he will head to Mallorca, Spain, for his final phase of training.