Latest news with #AzizulhasniAwang
The Star
30-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Boosting a sport's profile shouldn't be a problem anymore in this social media age
FOR a sport that has produced an Olympic medallist in Azizulhasni Awang and Asian champions in various disciplines, one would expect the Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) to have no problem attracting sponsors. The platform for engagement to convince the private sector to contribute is already there but sadly, MNCF, or most of the national sports associations (NSAs) in the country, are still stuck in their old stubborn ways.
The Star
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
With Azizul focused on team sprint, Malaysia hope to end gold drought at Asiad
Malaysian Azizulhasni Awang make a willy as he celebrate his victory in the keirin finals men event during the SEA Games in National Velodrome on Tuesday. IZZRAFIQ ALIAS / The Star. August 29, 2017.
New Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Options aplenty for Azizulhasni if he decides to retire
KUALA LUMPUR: Former world keirin champion Azizulhasni Awang has no shortage of career options to choose from should he decide to retire from competitive cycling in the future. Azizulhasni had hinted at retirement after suffering a disappointing outing at the Paris Olympics last year, though last month announced that he will continue racing until next year's Nagoya Asian Games at the very least, albeit as an independent rider. "Actually after the Paris Olympics there were a lot of ideas to get me involved in sports management, business and so on," said Azizulhasni recently. "There was also an option to work with some of the sponsors and contribute back to (Malaysian) sports. "This is one of the reasons it took me a long time to come to a decision (on whether to retire or continue racing). "I also have plans to start my own academy in the future. "But it will have to wait as I feel that it (racing career) is not over yet. I have to complete this (chapter) first before I can be happy and focus on my career progress (outside of racing)." The Paris Olympics was originally expected to be Azizulhasni's swansong though it did not go to plan as he was disqualified from the men's keirin event after overtaking the derny in the opening round. Though he has committed to racing until next year, Azizulhasni is not sure whether he will stay on until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics (LA2028) when he will be 40. "A lot of people are hoping I will stay on until LA2028 but to be honest, I am not thinking about that just yet," he added. "I just want to focus on the next two years, take things one step at a time and try to contribute (back to Malaysian cycling) as much as I can." The two-time Olympic keirin medallist is no stranger to making comebacks. He underwent open heart surgery in 2022 to correct a coronary artery anomaly he had suffered from since birth. Azizulhasni came back stronger than ever, winning two gold medals at the Asian Championships in Nilai in 2023 and broke the national 200m record a number of times in the lead up to the Paris Games.
New Straits Times
06-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
NSI will continue to power Pocket Rocketman
KUALA LUMPUR: The Pocket Rocketman will continue to be "fuelled" by the National Sports Institute (NSI). Datuk Azizulhasni Awang, who is now a professional track cyclist, will receive financial backing from NSI when representing Malaysia at major multi-sport events. NSI chief executive officer Dr P. Vellapandian said that the 2017 keirin world champion remains eligible for support from NSI though he is no longer part of the national programme. "We will continue to support Azizulhasni as a professional rider, but there are a few considerations," said Vellapandian today. "He will receive the same level of support he had as a national team member only when he represents Malaysia at major multi-sport events, such as the Asian Games. "If he competes in tournaments outside the National Sports Council's (NSC) programme, we will discuss with national cycling technical director, John Beasley, and Azizulhasni himself to assess his requirements. "We will not deny him assistance simply because he has turned professional. Our support will depend on the feedback we receive from them." Azizulhasni, 37, had planned to retire from track cycling following the Paris Olympics. However, his failure to win gold after being disqualified in the first round for overtaking the derny reignited his ambition to continue racing. Last month, he announced that he would train and compete independently as a professional cyclist.
Malay Mail
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Malay Mail
Azizulhasni Awang postpones retirement, eyes historic comeback by 2026 Asian Games
KUALA LUMPUR, April 23 — Malaysian cycling hero Azizulhasni Awang has asked for patience as he embarks on an ambitious comeback journey, following his shock decision to postpone retirement after a devastating Olympic exit last year. The two-time Olympic medallist, who has not competed since his disqualification at the Paris Games in August, acknowledged the significant physical conditioning required after eight months away from the sport. 'This year is more about rebuilding and regaining my pace. Next year is when I will focus more on building the confidence to win races,' Malaysia's Star newspaper reported Azizul as saying. Photos showed the cyclist looking noticeably lighter as he announced he would extend his career and planned to continue racing until the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. 'I need some space and time to rebuild what is necessary for me to be competitive again at the highest level,' Azizul said. The 37-year-old's Olympic campaign ended in heartbreak when he was disqualified from the keirin competition for moving ahead of the derny in the first-round heat, despite having set a new Malaysian record in the sprint earlier. Nicknamed the 'Pocket Rocketman', Azizul pointed to his track record of overcoming adversity. 'I've given this a lot of thought as to the challenges I will face. But I am used to making comebacks after facing adversity,' he said. 'I did it after a huge splinter entered my leg (in 2011) and also after I had heart surgery (in 2022).' Azizul underwent open heart surgery in 2022 to correct a coronary artery anomaly but silenced doubters by winning two Asian Championship gold medals and returning to the world top five rankings. 'If I can come back to the highest level at this age, it would be historic. Usually people believe that an athlete's career is done by their late 30s but advancement in sports science means this is no longer the case if you know how to take care of your body,' he said. 'Cristiano Ronaldo has proven otherwise but I want to show Malaysians that we can also do the same.' — AFP
