From Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif
GLASGOW, July 31 (Bernama) -- National track cyclist Nur Alyssa Mohd Farid has admitted that jet lag affected her fitness levels during her debut in the women's sprint event at the 2026 Glasgow Commonwealth Games at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome here today.
Nur Alyssa said although her preparations and training had gone smoothly, her sleeping pattern had yet to return to normal after five days in Glasgow.
"Honestly, my training has gone well, but I think I'm still experiencing jet lag even though I've been here for five days.
"I still wake up frequently at 2 or 3 am, so my body wasn't able to perform at its best," she told Bernama after the women's sprint 1/8 round here.
The 20-year-old rider began her campaign by finishing 15th in the qualifying round with a time of 10.882 seconds (s), compared with her personal best of 10.626s.
The result earned her a place in the 1/8 round, but her challenge ended after she lost to England's Sophie Capewell, the Paris 2024 Olympic gold medallist in the women's team sprint.
"Today was my first day of competition and also my first Commonwealth Games appearance. Everything went well. I started in the qualifying round and finished 15th.
"It wasn't my personal best time, but I gave it my all before progressing to the next round. I once again gave my best and tried to challenge Sophie, but it just wasn't my day," she said.
Meanwhile, Nur Alyssa said competing in the vibrant atmosphere in Glasgow had been a valuable experience, especially on her Commonwealth Games debut.
"The atmosphere here is very different from the Asian Championships, World Cup or competitions in Malaysia. The spectators created a fantastic atmosphere and gave tremendous support," she said.
Nur Alyssa will now shift her focus to the keirin event on Sunday, with her initial target of progressing through each round before thinking about medal prospects.
In the women's sprint qualifying round, compatriot Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri recorded the 11th fastest time of 10.706s, while Wales' Emma Finucane set a new Games record with a time of 10.322s. Nurul Izzah is still in contention at the time of writing.
-- BERNAMA