Azizul puts New Delhi disqualification behind him

Azizulhasni Awang (left) and Josiah Ng in action during the men elite final heat of Malaysian National Track Championship at Cheras Velodrome last month.

PETALING JAYA: Azizulhasni Awang and Josiah Ng grabbed a historic 1-2 finish for Malaysia in the keirin at the New Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2010.

But the joyous moment turned gloomy for Azizul as he was disqualified for a dangerous move while overtaking New Zealand’s Simon Van Velthooven and England’s Peter Mitchell. Josiah was eventually declared the winner.

Fast forward to 2014, Azizul is ready to take on some of the world’s best track cyclists at the Glasgow Games.

“Training under coach John (Beasley) has been smooth sailing. I have to say that I’m feeling much stronger and faster than before, but I expect the competition to be stiff though,” said the 26-year-old Azizul, who will competed in the keirin as well as the team sprint.

Azizul picked world champions New Zealand along with Australia, England, Scotland and Wales as the favourites in the team sprint.

He, however, will not bow out without giving a good fight and he has the form to show it. At the Asian Championships in Kazakhstan last month, he grabbed the individual sprint gold and a silver in the keirin.

“My aim in any race is to be on the podium. I always believe that I can win and I will put 110% effort into it,” said Azizul.

In New Delhi, Malaysia returned with a 1-1-1 haul. Besides Josiah’s keirin gold, Rizal Tisin clinched a silver in the 1km time trial event. The men’s team sprint of Azizul, Josiah and Rizal contributed a bronze.

This time, Malaysia are banking on retaining the keirin gold and a bronze through Fatehah Mustapa in the women’s 500m time trial.

by Shamshul Fitri - The Star