Azizul won’t go on as he’s still dealing with heartbreak

SEPANG: His condition is still good to go for another two years until the Nagoya Asian Games if he wants to. He is still a major threat to the Japanese sprinters as seen in the sprint event at the just concluded Olympics in Paris where he clocked the second fastest time among the Asians.

But track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang is not even thinking of extending his career at the moment after his shocking disqualification in the first round heat of the keirin competition last week.

All the 36-year-old wants to do now is to go back and see his wife and four daughters.

A teary-eyed Azizul, who addressed the media upon his return last night, said he is still coming to terms with his early elimination.

Azizul was disqualified for overtaking the derny before it pulled away from the track and thus did not have the chance to even race in the repechage.

“I still can’t absorb what happened out there. If I had lost in the race after I expressed my energy, I can accept the outcome.

“But I can’t do anything and it’s over for me right there,” said Azizul, who also hoped Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom can take up the mantle to fight for gold in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

“As an elite athlete, I eat and sleep and only think of cycling. I put cycling ahead of my family as I wanted to win the gold for my country. I still train even on my off day, so it breaks my heart to think my career had ended like this.

“I was in the best form of my life and many were saying that the pressure was too much for me but I knew myself best.

“I came to Paris with the spirit to win gold, not silver or bronze. This is not what I want but as a Muslim, I have to accept my fate.’’

Shah Firdaus managed to beat the odds to reach the final to make up for Azizul’s disqualification.

“My keirin journey has ended. I believe Shah Firdaus can do it with focused preparation from now.

“I am always ready to help them and they can reach out to me anytime.

“Give me time to get over (with the Olympic experience) and let me talk to my family first.

“My family told me to stop after Tokyo as I had nothing more to achieve.”

Youth and Sports Minister Hannah Yeoh said five-time Olympian Azizul has their blessings on any decisions he makes in the future.

“Give him time to discuss with his family. The Road to Gold committee will support whatever decision he makes.

‘’If his body can still take it, I am sure he knows what’s best for himself,” said Hannah, who also apologised to Malaysia on behalf of the national contingent for failing to win the first gold medal.