PETALING JAYA: Azizulhasni Awang will leave Hong Kong on a high after completing a perfect outing in the Hong Kong International Track Cup series.
The Tokyo Olympics silver medallist cyclist ended the weekend on a high by powering his way to the sprint gold medal at the Hong Kong Velodrome yesterday.
Azizul romped past South Korean national team rider Kang Seo-jin in two heats to secure the sprint gold for a double sweep in the Hong Kong International Track Cup II.
Azizul won the keirin event on Saturday.
The Terengganu-born cyclist had also swept the sprint and keirin events in the Hong Kong International Track Cup I on Friday.
It was the first international competition for Azizul since he pulled out of the Track Nations Cup leg in Cairo in March and the performance gives a clear indication that the seasoned Malaysian campaigner is shaping up well for a strong assault in the sprint discipline at the Asian Track Cycling Championships in Nilai middle of next month.
“God gave me the strength again to fight to win the keirin gold medal.
“I am very tired after going through three long days but I must continue to have strong resolve as my principle in life is not to surrender before the fight is over,” said Azizul.
Mohd Fadhil Zonis also earned extra cheers for the Malaysian team as he managed to claim the bronze.
The 2022 Asian championships silver medallist needed a deciding heat to beat Andrey Chugay of Kazakhstan to join Azizul on the men’s elite sprint podium.
It was also a glorious ending for young cyclist Yong Ann Tung as she bagged the women’s junior keirin gold medal to complete a sweep.
Ann Tung, who is from Selangor, won the sprint title on Saturday. She finished her campaign in Hong Kong with three gold medals. Ann Tung also won the keirin event in the Hong Kong International Track Cup I on Friday.
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