Jaw Fracture Not End of Road for New Joe's Asian Games Dream

Despite a severe facial injury, Malaysian track cyclist Lau New Joe harbors a strong desire to compete in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Lau suffered a fractured upper jaw and broken teeth in a crash during the men's 10km scratch race final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The 21-year-old's immediate concern upon waking in the hospital was not his injury, but his potential to participate in the upcoming Asian Games.

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The first thing I asked the doctor was whether I could still compete in the Asian Games, and the answer was 50-50, depending on my recovery process.

Doctors have given his chances of competing a "50-50" assessment, contingent on his recovery. "What I can do now is try my best to recover and get back to racing as soon as possible," Lau stated upon returning to Malaysia. He underwent further medical evaluation and is undergoing rehabilitation under the supervision of the National Sports Institute.

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What I can do now is try my best to recover and get back to racing as soon as possible.

Lau refuses to let his injuries derail his aspirations, recognizing the significant effort invested by his coaches, support staff, and the entire national team. "I am not racing for myself, but carrying the responsibility of the entire team," he explained. This sense of duty fuels his determination to recover and compete, aiming to perform at his best for Malaysia.

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I am not racing for myself, but carrying the responsibility of the entire team.

Recalling the crash, Lau has no memory of the incident itself, only regaining consciousness in the ambulance. The race felt like a blur, a dreamlike experience he cannot recall. Despite the ordeal, his focus remains on rehabilitation and the possibility of representing his country on the Asian stage.

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I really want to go to the Asian Games because it's not just me who worked hard to be at this level; the coaches, support staff, and the entire team also sacrificed with me.