PETALING JAYA: Former MotoGP rider Hafizh Syahrin Abdullah and Qabil Irfan Azlan won the top honours at the 2025 Aeon Credit Motorsports Association of Malaysia (MAM) Awards Night in Bukit Kiara on Thursday.
Hafizh, who emerged overall champion in the Asia Road Racing Championships (ASB1000 class) last year for JDT Racing Team, was honoured with the International Circuit Racing Rider of the Year award for a second season in a row.
Other nominees were Kasma Daniel Kasmayudin, Qabil Irfan Azlan and Hakim Danish Ramli.
The 31-year-old Hafizh, who beat a slew of young riders including nominees Kasma, Qabil and Hakim, was honoured.
“I’m incredibly grateful, to be shortlisted as one of the finalists was already a huge achievement for me.
“I did not expect to be nominated once again. To win it again means a lot as I was up against some very talented young riders.
“Winning this makes me more motivated to get better results on the track after this,” said Hafizh.
Also enjoying the spotlight was 13-year-old Qabil, who bagged the Young Rider of the Year award.
Qabil enjoyed a breakthrough season in Europe last year when he became the first Malaysian to win the ESBK Talent series overall title.
Qabil achieved a season haul of six wins, two second place finishes and three third places in the championship last year.
The ceremony featured 30 different award categories, up from 22 last year.
MAM president Tan Sri Mokhzani Mahathir said the increase in categories was to recognise achievements across a wide variety of motorsport disciplines.
“With the expansion to 30, we are ensuring that every pathway, from grassroots development to international championships is recognised and valued.
“This platform reflects how far Malaysian motorsports has come, and where it is headed.”
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