KUALA LUMPUR: Former world keirin champion Azizulhasni Awang is hungry for more after racing for the first time since the Paris Olympics at the Track Asia Cup in Thailand this week.
Azizulhasni, who had only started serious training roughly two months ago, walked away from the UCI class one meet, which concluded in Suphanburi yesterday (Aug 30), with a bronze medal in the men’s individual sprint event.
He also reached the keirin final in which he finished fifth.
“I am happy to reach the keirin final and also win bronze in the individual sprint,” said Azizulhasni on social media.
“It was a really good start for me as this was my first international event since I started training at the velodrome again early last month.
“Of course, there is a lot more I need to improve on and I am really excited to begin the next phase of training.
“I’d like to thank my sponsors who have been my backbone since I turned professional. I would also like to wish all Malaysians, happy 68th Merdeka day.”
The 37-year-old turned professional in April and competed under his trade team, Team Azizul, at the Asia Cup.
In total, Malaysian riders won one gold, two silver and three bronze in Thailand.
The gold was won by team sprint trio Fadhil Zonis, Ridwan Sahrom and Akmal Jusena.
As expected, Thailand’s Jai Angsuthasawit proved he is likely to be Shah Firdaus Sahrom’s main threat at the Thailand Sea Games (Dec 9-20) this year by winning gold in the keirin and silver in the individual sprint.
Jai lost to Taiwan’s Kang Shi Feng in the sprint final.
Malaysia’s top riders Izzah Izzati Asri and Shah did not compete at the Asia Cup as they are focusing on preparations for the Santiago World Championships (Oct 22-26).
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
