PETALING JAYA: It was a very emotional day for cyclist Azizulhasni Awang as he finally claimed the elusive Commonwealth Games gold medal in his illustrious career.
A 16-year wait came to an end when Azizul pulled off a huge win for Malaysia, executing his final move to perfection to pedal his way to success in the keirin final at Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome on Friday (July 31).
He was lightning quick in the last lap to beat a classy field, including the defending champion and former world record holder Nicholas Paul of Trinidad and Tobago.
Australia's Leigh Hoffman settled for silver and Harry Ledingham-Horn of England took the bronze.
Paul, the champion in Birmingham four years ago, settled for fourth.
At 38, Azizul is only the second Malaysian rider to win gold at the Commonwealth Games, which is also the seventh for the Malaysian contingent in Glasgow.
He had come close to winning it in his Commonwealth Games debut in New Delhi, India in 2010, when he finished first but only to be relegated due to infringement.
Luckily, fellow teammate Josiah Ng, who had finished second then, was promoted to the first position.
Azizul had entered the main final after finishing second behind Australian Ryan Tayte in the first heat.
Fellow Malaysian Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom's bid to join Azizul in the final ended after he finishing fourth in the second heat.
Shah Firdaus later came back strongly to win the consolation final to rank seventh overall.
Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri's gallant run in the women's sprint event ended after she was beaten in the deciding heat by Sophie Capewell of England in the semi-finals.
Izzah lost the bronze medal match as well, going down 0-2 to Rhian Edwards of Wales.
