Azizulhasni Awang
KUALA LUMPUR: National track cycling ace Azizulhasni Awang looks set to return to action in the Asian Championships in February next year at the National Velodrome in Nilai.
Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill said the 36-year-old Asian keirin champion, popularly known as the Pocket Rocketman, is still in prime shape for competition.
"I can say yes he will be competing in several events next year. After what happened at the (2024 Paris) Olympics, he will surely want to bounce back," said Amarjit.
Azizul was primed to win a gold at the last Olympics but he was disqualified in his first race.
"(Coach) John Beasley told me there is a big possibility that Azizul will take part in some events in 2025. He is still in a competitive mood and wants to ride on and I hope he will compete (in the Asian championships)."
Azizulhasni last competed in the 2023 edition of the Asian Championships but did not take part in the 2024 edition in India to avoid the risk of contracting Covid-19 ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
He created a sensation when he clinched his second gold at the meet in the keirin event, thus taking his gold medal collection at the Asian level to 12 since 2007.
Previously, there were question marks over the 2020 Tokyo Olympic silver medallist’s future regarding his cycling career and speculations continued to heighten with Azizulhasni himself remaining silent on the matter. - Bernama
