Azizulhasni, Jun Hoong crowned 2017 Sportsman, Sportswoman
KUALA LUMPUR: Track cyclist Mohd Azizulhasni Awang and diver Cheong Jun Hoong were adjudged the Sportsman and Sportswoman of 2017 for their world championship performances last year.
Mohd Azizulhasni, fondly called The Pocket Rocketman, created history by clinching the gold medal in the keirin event at the 2017 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Hong Kong while Jun Hoong sensationally won the gold medal in the women’s individual 10m platform at the World Aquatic Championships in Budapest, Hungary last year.
The Yang di- Pertuan Agong Sultan Muhammad V presented a revolving trophy, a personal trophy, a certificate and RM20,000 each to the duo.
Also present at the presentation ceremony on Tuesday night was Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin.
Last year, Mohd Azizulhasni, 30, made a string of conquests including the gold medal at the 2017 Asian Track Cycling Championships in India as well as the keirin and sprint gold medals at the 29th Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.
Meanwhile, Jun Hoong also contributed a bronze medal with Pandelela Rinong in the women’s synchronished 10m platform in Budapest.
The 28- year- old diver also bagged the silver medal with Pandelela in the same event at the World Series.
The Perak-born also contributed a gold medal in the women’s individual 1m springboard at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games last year.
Another world champion Muhammad Ziyad Zolkefli picked up the National Paralympic Sportsman of the Year for his gold medal in the men’s shot put F20 ( learning disability) at the 2017 World Para Athletics Championships in London. He threw 17.29m to erase his own world record established at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.
The strongman, who also won a bronze at last year’s SEA Games, received RM20,000, a revolving t rophy, a personal t rophy and a certificate from Sultan Muhammad V.
There was, however, no recipient for the National Paralympic Sportswoman of the Year.
Meanwhile, the men’s national hockey squad were awarded the National Team ( Men) for qualifying for the World Cup in Bhubaneswar, India this year apart from the gold medal in World League second round and fourth place in the World League semi-finals in London as well as successfully defending their gold medal at the 2017 SEA Games.
The hockey squad, who are now ranked 12th in the world, also won the silver medal in the 2017 Hero Asia Cup in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The women’s tenpin bowling team were crowned the National Team ( Women) of the Year when they emerged as team champions at the World Championships in Las Vegas, US.
Meanwhile, Azizulhasni Awang said the award would inspire him to excel again this year.
“I am very grateful for the award and this is a big motivation for me to face two major championships this year, the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games,” he said.
It was third award for the cyclist having won the National Sportsman title in 2009 and 2010.
He defeated seven other contenders namely wushu exponent Wong Weng Son, Mohd Fitri Saari ( Hockey), Mohamad Rafiq Ismail ( Tenpin Bowling), Muhammad Hakimi Ismail and Khairul Hafiz Jantan (Athletics), Mohd Syarul Azman Mahen Abdullah ( Bodybuilding) and professional golfer Gavin Kyle Green this year.
The Coach of the Year awards went to Mohd Poad Kassim ( athletics) and Yoong Sze Yuin ( basketball). — Bernama