Anwar thanked Shah Firdaus for his performance. “Keep fighting. Hopefully can achieve success one day,” he said in a post on the X social media app.

Deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Malaysians could be proud of the fighting spirit displayed by Shah Firdaus, who finished the race after tumbling to the velodrome floor in a collision with two other riders.

He was relegated to sixth position after the race.

“Thank you, Shah Firdaus Sahrom. It’s okay, Shah. Luck wasn’t on your side. I know this isn’t easy, but you’ve done your best. Let’s move forward,” he said in a Facebook post.

Zahid hoped Shah Firdaus and national keirin star Azizulhasni Awang would continue their efforts to advance the sport of cycling. “I am confident that one day, Malaysia will win cycling gold,” he said.

Youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh thanked Shah Firdaus for his unwavering effort for Malaysia. “You made it to the finals, a great improvement compared to the last Olympics. Thank you, Shah, for giving it your all,” she posted on Facebook.