72-Year Old Wan Hashim Aspires To Create History By Cycling Until Age 80

KOTA BHARU (Kelantan, Malaysia), April 8 (Bernama) -- Bicycle pedaller Wan Hashim Wan Mahmood has expressed his intention to create history in the Malaysia Book of Records (MBR) as a senior citizen with the longest record as a pedaller. Wan Hashim, who is fondly known as Pak Wan, 72, said he would indulge in the pedalling activity every year until he reached the age of 80, if he was still alive. "I will do it every year to prove that senior citizens can also do it," he said when met by reporters at the programme to flag off the Pak Wan Hashim 3,000 Kilometres Cycling, here Saturday. The event was officiated by Kelantan Darul Naim Media Club (Kemudi) president Mohd Zailani Abd Rahman and Hotel Grand Riverview manager Vincent Chua. Pak Wan is scheduled to complete the ride within 43 days cycling through Southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore accompanied by Shahuri Awang@Saidi, a Kemudi representative, who is also a part-time photographer with the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama). He said the age factor would not hinder him to indulge in sporting ctivities, in fact, it was good for health besides promoting cycling activities to his peers. Pak Wan had been recognised as 'The Oldest Bicycle Pedaller To Tour Peninsular Malaysia' by the Malaysia Book of Records in April 2014. On Jan 17 2015, he succeeded in completing the five-nation solo tour of Southeast Asia for 49 days -- earlier than the original expectation of three months. He did it by cycling 5,319 kilometers touring Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Singapore, Riau Indonesia, and Peninsular Malaysia. Meanwhile, Shahuri said his dream of doing a cycling tour was fulfilled through the pedalling programme together with Pak Wan this time. -- BERNAMA