Saturday February 2, 2013
Azizul is ready for Melbourne stint now that his visa woes are over
By SHAMSHUL FITRI
PETALING JAYA: Olympic track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang can breathe a sigh of relief now that his Australian visa has been approved.
The 2012 London Olympic keirin finalist, whose application hit a snag last December, can now get back to his training base in Melbourne. And it couldn’t have come at a better time as Azizulhasni has to enrol for his classes at Victoria University, which starts on Feb 25.
“I am super glad that the whole thing has been cleared up,” said Azizulhasni, who added that his wife Athiah Ilyana Abdul Samad and three-month-old daughter Amna Maryam will join him in Melbourne after the Asian Championships from March 7-17.
“I have to sort out my classes first ... and get a little bit of track training in before I bring my family over to Melbourne,” he said.
“I’ll participate in the Asian Championships in New Delhi and I want to have some speed back in my legs. Right now, I’m just training on the roads and I need to shake off some of the rust.”
The delay is said to be due to changes in the processing of long-term visas for families.
“Coach (John Beasley) wanted me to compete in the Asian Championships because qualification for the 2016 Rio Olympic starts after the World Championships in Belarus (Feb 20-24),” said Azizulhasni.
“I’m not sure if I can fight for medals in New Delhi but, as far as Olympic qualification is concerned, it’s important for me to compete next month.
“After the Asian meet, my training programme will be in full swing. I’m looking forward to an exciting year.”
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