Let me ride

World champion Azizulhasni yearns to compete at KL Games

KUALA LUMPUR: World keirin champion Azizulhasni Awang (pic) hopes to compete in at least one event in the cycling competition at the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games from Aug 19-30.

Having won at the highest level – bagging a historic gold for the nation at the Track Cycling World Championships in Hong Kong last month – it may seem like he has nothing to prove at the regional Games.

But Azizul has his own reasons for wanting a piece of the action in the KL Games, where the hosts can enter two cyclists for each individual event in track cycling.

“I have not discussed it with my coach (John Beasley) yet, but I would like to ride in the keirin ... if possible.

“This is going to be my only chance to take part in a SEA Games held in my own country and I don’t want to miss out ... not when it will be held in our own indoor velodrome in Nilai.

“My fans seldom get to see me in action here,” Azizul said after being named the brand ambassador for Sports Ration Powerfood – a Malaysian-made organic energy bar.

Azizul, who even bagged bronze in the Rio Olympics last year, has yet to win a SEA Games individual gold medal.

The Dungun-born cyclist has only competed in one edition of the SEA Games – in Korat, Thailand, in 2007. He bagged two silvers – finishing behind compatriot Rizal Tisin in the 1km time trial and losing to Josiah Ng in the sprint.

His only gold came in the team sprint with Josiah and Rizal.

The Malaysian National Cycling Federation (MNCF) have set a bold target – to win 13 out of the 20 gold medals at stake.

Of the 20 golds, 13 are from track, five from road events and two from BMX.

Malaysia bagged seven golds when track cycling was last contested at the Indonesia Games in 2011.

Azizul is also confident that the back-up cyclists will shine at the SEA Games.

“The SEA Games should serve as a competition for them to get exposure and experience. They should also aim for bigger things, like qualifying for the World Cups and World Championships,” he said.

“My training partner, Muhd Shah Firdaus Sahrom, has shown that he can take over from me. I hope to see more stepping up to the plate.”