Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom, Malaysia’s national track cyclist, has paid tribute to John Beasley, the outgoing technical director credited with significantly influencing his athletic and personal development. Beasley, who has served the national cycling team for over 20 years, recently completed his final assignment at the Shanghai World Championships before moving to Japan to assume a new coaching role with their national track cycling team ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Shah Firdaus, 30, who competed in the men’s team sprint at the world championships after recovering from knee surgery, described Beasley’s impact as extending beyond athletics. “You didn’t just develop me as a rider, you helped shape the person I am today,” he said. The two first connected when Shah Firdaus was 19 years old, and since then, the cyclist credited Beasley with instilling lasting values within the team.
Reflecting on their journey together, Shah Firdaus acknowledged the full spectrum of their shared experiences, from standing atop the podium to overcoming difficult setbacks. He recounted a particularly tough rehabilitation period following his surgery, noting Beasley’s dedication by waiting with him during the operation. “I honestly couldn’t imagine how long that wait must have felt for you,” Shah Firdaus remarked.
In lighter moments, Shah Firdaus joked about Beasley’s nervous habit of biting his fingernails while watching his cyclists compete, a small quirk that highlighted the coach’s deep investment in his athletes’ performances. The rider also noted his achievements under Beasley’s guidance, including winning a gold medal at the 2025 Nations Cup and a bronze at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games.
Although Shah Firdaus expressed a wish that Beasley might have continued coaching the Malaysian national team, he extended his best wishes to Beasley and his wife, Vicky, as they embark on their new chapter in Japan. “Malaysia will always be one of your homes, John. This is not goodbye,” Shah Firdaus added, underscoring the lasting connection between them and the national team.