Silver in his Pocket

Azizulhasni achieves back-to-back podium feat in Track World Cup

PETALING JAYA: “The Pocket Rocketman” has struck again.

Track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang continued to impress with a back-to-back podium feat in his pet event at the UCI Track World Cup stage.

Just days after he was crowned the Male Olympian of the Year for 2018, Azizul sprinted his way to the silver medal in the keirin at the London round of the Track World Cup.

Azizul, the Indonesia Asian Games sprint champion in August, ended the final held on Saturday night in second spot behind reigning world champion Matthijs Buchli of Holland.

Theo Bos, also of Holland, took third place. It was the second World Cup medal in the 2018-2019 season for the 30-year-old Dungunborn cyclist.

Azizul ended his seven-year-drought at the World Cup stage with a bronze in the previous round in Berlin, Germany, two weeks ago.

Azizul, however, had to work hard to reach the medal rounds in London.

He was relegated in the first round and then had to fight his way back to win the repechage to advance.

Azizul showed his class by winning the second-round heat against Commonwealth Games champion Matthew Glaetzer of Australia, Bos and three other cyclists.

Azizul, Helal Ryan of France and Bos made the cut for the top-six final from the secondround heat.

The back-to-back podium feat is a welcome boost to Azizul’s confidence after he was eliminated early in the first two rounds in Saint- Quentin- en- Yvelines, France, and Milton, Canada, last month.

Azizul was thrilled to end the year on a high note.

“I was lifted by the fighting spirit showed by the national football team and fought my way back to the podium in the keirin, which saw participation from 47 countries.

“I’m very pleased to show progress as I got a bronze in Berlin.

“It’s a good indication for me to show that I’m on the right track to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

“I want to thank my supporters and sponsors who are always behind me,” said Azizul.

Azizul, Muhd Shah Firdaus Sahrom dan Mohd Fadhil Zonis finished ninth in the team sprint event on Friday (44.710).

Well done:(from left) Silver medallist Azizulhasni Awang posing for a photograph with gold medallist Matthijs Buchli and bronze medallist Theo Bos after the keirin final of the UCI Track World Cup in London.