VETERAN Azizulhasni Awang’s disqualification in his pet keirin event was the low point in the just concluded track cycling competition at the Paris Olympics.
But national track cycling technical director John Beasley made it clear that he was happy with the performance of the cyclists at the Saint Quentin en Yvelines Velodrome.
Azizul and Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri broke their own national records in the 200m flying lap in Paris while Shah Firdaus Sahrom also recorded a new personal best over the distance.
Azizul clocked 9.402s to beat his own national record of 9.523s, which he set when he won gold at the Asian Championships in Nilai last year.
Izzah capped her Olympic debut by clocking 10.709s, besting her previous national record of 10.903s set at the Asian meet in Nilai last year.
Shah Firdaus beat the odds to reach his first Olympic men’s keirin final and appeared to be in a strong position to secure bronze before he was involved in a crash with Japan’s Shinji Nakano, which also took out Britain’s Jack Carlin.
Beasley, who has guided the national team for almost two decades now, said he was very proud of the trio.
“Their performances were extremely good.
‘‘All three athletes rode their fastest time ever in the 200m flying lap,” said Beasley.
“Izzah and Azizul set new national records and not by a small margin, they took massive chunks off the old records.
“I think Izzah showed her potential for the future while Shah stood up under great pressure after the disappointment we had (Azizul’s disqualification). Imagine if we had two athletes in the keirin.
“I am very proud of them and what they have achieved.”
Azizul’s blistering time put him in 10th overall out of 30 riders in the men’s individual sprint qualifying round.
He managed to reach the 1/8 stage before losing to Jeffrey Hoogland of Holland in the fight to reach the last eight.
His campaign ended in misery after he was disqualified in the men’s keirin first round for overtaking the derny before it left the track.
It was a massive blow to the nation’s medal hopes as Azizul had been earmarked as a potential gold medallist in the event.
