Her greatest milestone was achieved when the 33-year-old made history by becoming the first Malaysian to win a Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the Women’s Duathlon event
PHOTO: SYUHAINI AZLIN, SPORTPLUS.SG
A familiar name in the endurance sport scene, Tahira Najmunisaa Muhammad Zaid excels from running to cycling. She competes a lot in road races (from 5km to ultra-marathons), trails and climbathon races, as well as adventure racing and mountain biking jamborees – and is often on the podium for most of these races.
Her greatest milestone was achieved when the 33-year-old mother of four young children made history by becoming the first Malaysian to win a Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in the Women’s Duathlon event.
Tahira has always wanted to try out for the SEA Games Duathlon but with four children, she just could not find the time before. Now that the kids are older, she knows that this is the right time for her to do it.
PHOTO: SYUHAINI AZLIN, SPORTPLUS.SG
Based out of Lumut, Perak, Tahira still trains and races with her husband (since 2009), but she also credits her teams – the Chaingang Team for cycling and the Smart Team for running – who have played a huge part in her journey to the SEA Games.
PHOTO: SYUHAINI AZLIN, SPORTPLUS.SG
Despite her debut appearance at the SEA Games in Hanoi, Vietnam, Tahira’s goal was nothing less than a medal for her country. She was running in third during the last 5km of the run-bike-run event and she could see the Indonesian athlete ahead of her.
PHOTO: SYUHAINI AZLIN, SPORTPLUS.SG
Knowing that the silver medal was within her grasp, she drew strength within herself and from the Malaysian supporters for that extra push to overtake the Indonesian.
Tahira’s next goal, God willing, is to take the gold at the next SEA Games.
PHOTO: SYUHAINI AZLIN, SPORTPLUS.SG
To Live Uplifted, for Tahira, is the balance and harmony of her emotions, mind and body. It’s about enjoying every moment of her everyday life, no matter how hard it gets. She also believes a sound mind enables her to give the best in her training and races.