Azizulhasni bags keirin bronze at World Championships in Berlin

PETALING JAYA: Cyclist Azizulhasni Awang made Malaysia proud when he fought his way to a bronze medal in the Track Cycling World Championships in Berlin, Germany.

The 32-year-old gave his all to try to win the men's keirin final held at 4am Malaysian time as he led from the front but was boxed in as the riders started to charge once the derny moved away.

Azizul managed to finish third as Harrie Lavreysen retained the title for Holland with a superb charge down the finish line, with Japan's Yuta Wakimoto taking the silver.

Dutch cyclist Matthijs Buchli won the race last year but finished 11th at this outing.

Reigning Olympic triple champion Jason Kenny of Britain also failed to make it to the main final and placed eighth overall.

Azizul earlier set himself up for a medal chance when he stormed into the main final by winning his semi-final heat.

He was second fastest behind Japan's Yudai Nitta in his quarter-final heat earlier.

Azizul placed second behind Lavreysen in the first round heat to automatically qualify for the last eight.

It is the sixth world championships medal for Azizul and his first since he romped to a historic win during the 2017 edition in Hong Kong.

Azizul earned his first medal when he claimed silver in sprint in Poland in 2009 and he repeated the feat with another silver in Copenhagen the following year.

Azizul also earned bronze in keirin in Paris (2015) and London (2016).