Rocketman Azizul creates Asian elite sprint record

NILAI: The country’s track cycling ace, Mohd Azizulhasni Awang created a new Asian record in the men’s elite sprint after recording a speed of 9.774 seconds during the qualifying round of the 2018 Asian Track Cycling Championship (ACC) here yesterday.

The record enabled him to top the list of riders on the qualifying round that took place at the National Velodrome. His achievement eliminated the record of 9.843s of Japan’s Nitta Yudai which was held in the same tournament last year.

At the same time, the record also erased his 10.074s national record at the 2016 ACC edition in Japan.

The rider, nicknamed ‘The Pocket Rocketman’, said his main mission in the beginning was to dip below 10s and he did not expect to be able to record 9.774s as 9.8s was the realistic fastest time achievable.

“My main focus today was to try the best record below 10s and, when I was waiting for my turn, Shah (Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom) beat me to it by becoming the first to record below 10s. So, after that I became more excited.

“Initially, I did not at all suspected that I have created something because the atmosphere when I ended the race was silent as if there was nothing out of the ordinary taking place. But I was shocked and could not believe my eyes at the time recorded on the electronic screen,” he told reporters.

The Dungun, Terengganu-born 30-yearold athlete, prior to this had won a bronze medal in the keirin event at the five-day championship from Friday.