Published: Saturday August 4, 2012 MYT 9:11:00 PM
Updated: Saturday August 4, 2012 MYT 9:56:14 PM
By S RAMAGURU
Azizulhasni in action in men's sprint preliminary round. Starpix by AZMAN GHANI
LONDON: Cyclist Azizulhasni Awang began his quest for an Olympic medal
in the sprint event by qualifying for the last 16 at the Velodrome in
the Olympic Park on Saturday.
In the first qualifying race Azizul finished in 11 the place to make
the last 32, which is on a knockout format.
In the qualifying round Azizul had a time of 10.266. But the race
favourite Jason Kenny went on to set an Olympic record of 9.713s.
The Malaysian faced China’s Zhang Miao in the last 32 and defeated him
to make the third round (last 16).
The Chinese is the reigning Asian champion. Azizul’s best time in the event is 10.149s.
If he gets through it then Azizul will qualify for the quarterfinals
on Sunday. His opponent in the last 16 will only be known after the
repercharge is completed later in the evening.
Malaysian team manager Datuk Naim Mohamed said that Azizul has done
what he was expected in the early stages of the race schedule.
“We have targeted him to make the quarterfinals today. We are not
expecting too much trouble with that. But then again you never know as
you could end up with a strong opponent.
“Azizul has been quite relaxed today. I believe he will be at his best
in the last 32 to make the cut for the quarterfinals tomorrow,” he
added.
The semi-finals and final will be run on Monday.