BANGKOK: Track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang is savouring his return to the top of the podium after a lengthy break that followed the disappointment of the Paris Olympics last year.
The former world champion signalled that his form is on the rise after completing a rare double at the New Zealand Grand Prix in Cambridge.
Yesterday, Azizul stormed to victory in the keirin final to clinch his second gold medal in as many days, finishing ahead of South Korea’s Kim Geun-woo and New Zealander Russell Jaxson.
The 37-year-old had already claimed the sprint title on Sunday, and will be encouraged by his ability to maintain both speed and stamina against a younger field on back-to-back race days.
It was nothing short of an impressive finish for Azizul as he also won both the first round and semi-final heats.
The winning riders from the first round heat advance to the semi-finals. Then it's the first three riders from each semi-final heats who go through to the final.
Terengganu-born Azizul described his outing as a positive result after deciding to leave the National Sports Council system to become an independent rider in April this year.
"It was a long day of sprinting for me and I still had the energy to carry on in the keirin," said Azizul.
"I'm grateful I can stand atop the podium again. This is only my second international competition since I decided to return to training again (after Paris Olympics).
"This also feels more special as I got to share it with my fellow Malaysians who came to see me race in New Zealand.
"I also want to thank my sponsors who stood by me all this while," said the grateful Olympian, who will be hoping to build on his form heading to the Asian Games in Japan next year.
Azizul is the only Malaysian cyclist competing in the New Zealand GP as Mohd Ridwan Sahrom and Mohd Fadhil Zonis are preparing for the Thailand SEA Games assignment.
