KUALA LUMPUR: Track sprinter Izzah Izzati Asri has enjoyed success in the time trial as well as the individual and team sprint events, but there is no doubt that the keirin is where her heart lies.
The keirin, where six riders race against each other, is seen as the great equaliser in track sprinting as riders with smaller physiques can defeat their larger opponents as tactics play a major role.
Izzah, who stands at a diminutive 1.52 metres tall, has a number of sprint idols she looks up to and is hoping to follow in their footsteps.
"The keirin is the event in which I really want to do well in because it is an event which gives everyone the opportunity to succeed," said the 20-year-old recently.
"As long as your tactics are spot on and you get your positioning correct, you always have a chance of doing well.
"I really like Kristina Vogel and followed her races until she retired after her accident. I also like Emma Finucane a lot and, at the same time, also look up to Mina Sato.
"Mina is not only a really strong rider, but is also very humble and has a great personality. She has a happy-go-lucky personality. I hope to follow in her footsteps and be like her one day."
Mina, 25, of Japan, is currently the top female rider in Asia. She achieved the individual sprint-keirin gold double at last year's Hangzhou Asian Games and also claimed world championship silver in the keirin in both 2021 and 2022, which were both held in France.
Kristina, 33, has won an astonishing 11 world championships gold and two Olympic gold for Germany. She was unfortunately paralysed after a training crash in June 2018.
Emma, 21, is an up-and-coming rider from Wales who won gold and silver at last year's Glasgow World Championships.
Izzah won two gold, one silver and one bronze at the Asian Championships in New Delhi in February, which helped her secure qualification to next month's Paris Olympics.
She has been tipped as a future star in the sport, with many likening her to Azizulhasni Awang due to their small physiques and explosive power.