A heavy burden, but Azizul has the wheel power

HE has overcome a nasty accident which saw a giant splinter in his calf. He has also overcome a heart surgery but there is yet another huge burden cyclist Azizulhasni Awang has to carry – the hopes of an entire nation.

But if anyone can do it, Azizul can as he goes into battle mode in the men’s keirin event starting today.

The keirin competition will be the last involving Malaysian athletes and all eyes will be on whether Azizul, who at 36 is the oldest track cyclist competing in Paris, can fight his way into the main final tomorrow evening.

As much as the country prays he can rise to the occasion to deliver the elusive gold medal for Malaysia, we should also not set too high expectations, considering the circumstances surrounding his journey to Paris.

His presence in the Paris Olympics is already a personal victory, as he went through open heart surgery just two years ago to correct a natural heart defect.

But being the fighter that he is, the near death experience did not deter him but only spurred him to delay his retirement and make another bid for an Olympic medal.

He recovered his fitness, gained back the muscle mass he lost while recuperating and was back in the saddle when the Olympic qualification campaign started two years ago.

Fast forward to the Paris mission and Azizul certainly has unfinished business – he wants the gold medal for Malaysia after taking silver and bronze in the last two editions.

It’s always hard for a small-sized opponent like Azizul – which earned him the moniker Pocket Rocketman – in the sprinting world which is dominated by the physically large-sized cyclists.

But sprinting is all about acceleration, and the keirin is a totally different kettle of fish.

It is still about speed and power but tactical execution matters above everything else.

This is where cyclists like Azizul and former Malaysian cyclist Josiah Ng excel and the duo have turned out to be the best keirin racers Malaysia have seen.

Coach John Beasley has described Azizul as one of the most gifted athlete Malaysia has ever seen.

Now, there is one thing Malaysia wants to see – the Pocket Rocketman beating the odds and claiming the biggest prize of his career.

And that will be the greatest comeback story in the Paris Olympic Games.