AWESOME AWARD DOWN UNDER THE BEST MOTIVATION FOR AZIZUL
PETALING JAYA: Being named as Victoria University’s best male athlete for 2017 is the best motivation for track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang to bring more glory to the country next year.
Azizul beat three other Australian finalists – Paralympian shot putter Todd Hodgetts, taekwondo exponent Bailey Lewis and champion shooter Sergei Evglevski – to become the first foreign student to take the accolade during the Victoria University Sports Awards night in Melbourne on Thursday.
“I’m very honoured to get this recognition for my struggles so far.
“It has not been easy balancing my career as a professional athlete, a student and a father to two kids, but I’m grateful that I’ve managed to handle the challenges so far.
“I want to thank my wife (Athiah Ilyana Abd Samat) and two daughters, who are the backbone of my success.
“I also want to thank my coach John (Beasley) and wife Vicky for making me what I am today and Sime Darby Foundation for my scholarship backing,” said Azizul, who is now with CIMB Pro Cycling Team.
Azizul had made history by becoming Malaysia’s first world champion in an Olympic discipline when he came out tops in the keirin event at the Track Cycling World Championships in Hong Kong in March.
The 29-year-old also won the sprint event at the Asian Confederation Cycling (ACC) Championships in New Delhi, India, in February.
He bagged his first individual SEA Games gold medals in sprint and keirin in Kuala Lumpur in August.
Next year will be a busy one for Azizul, starting with trying to do well in front of the home fans at the ACC meet in Nilai, Negri Sembilan, from Feb 16-20.
Azizul, who is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in science exercise, will then defend his title at the world meet in Apeldoorn, Holland, from Feb 28-March 4 before heading for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April followed by the Jakarta Asian Games in August.