MALAYSIA’S “Pocket Rocketman” Azizulhasni Awang set his sights on Olympic glory after he filled a gap in his trophy cabinet with cycling gold at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games — and set off national rejoicing in the process.
The pint-sized world keirin champion, who is 1.66m. (5ft. 5in.) tall, had never won a SEA Games individual title until his assured victory in the men’s sprint late on Monday.
It also happened to be table-topping Malaysia’s 111th gold medal of the Games — matching their record haul in 2001, when they last hosted the regional mini-Olympics.
“I can’t even describe with words,” Azizulhasni told AFP, as Malaysia’s sports minister and the state sultan joined celebrations at a packed National Velodrome in Nilai.
It caps a breakthrough 12 months for the 29-year old, who took keirin bronze at last year’s Rio Olympics before winning the event at the world championships in Hong Kong in April.
“I’ve had a very good career, bronze medal at the Olympic Games and then a world title,” he said. “SEA Games (gold) feels about the same as my world title because it’s amazing to win in front of your home crowd.”
Azizulhasni, who is also hot favorite for the SEA Games keirin title, is now starting his preparations for the next world championships in April.
But he said his emotional victory on home soil could be a good omen as he builds towards what he hopes will be the pinnacle of his career — the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. — AFP
