THE UCI Track Juniors World Championships in Invercargill, New Zealand from next Wednesday will be the difference between a year of studies or the pursuit of her sporting dreams for Ummi Hamimah Mohamad.

Photo Credit: NST

For that reason, Hari Raya Aidilfitri will be spent at the velodrome instead of with her family in Dungun, Terengganu for the first time in her life.

The 18-year-old has built her form to the level where she will be confident of meeting the demands of head coach John Beasley in order to remain with the national elite squad in Melbourne.

“My body feels good and I’m in good condition heading to New Zealand,” said Ummi Hamimah, in Melbourne yesterday.

“I’m not too sad about spending Hari Raya away. It’s the first time but I’ll be racing so it’s not so bad. It’s not like I’m spending Hari Raya behind bars or anything like that,” joked the double Malaysia Games gold medallist.

Ummi Hamimah has to meet an 11.5s 200m flying lap time if she is to remain in Melbourne, and she believes she has what it takes to zip past that mark.

Continue reading on NST