Cycling great Hoy praises former rival Azizulhasni

KUALA LUMPUR: The success of Azizulhasni Awang in winning the gold medal and emerging as world champion in the keirin event at Hong Kong Velodrome on Thursday is met with a rousing welcome from Malaysians.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin congratulated the national track cycling ace for his feat.

Sir Chris Hoy, Azizulhasni’s former rival, and idol of Great Britain also congratulated the rider who goes by the nickname ‘ The Pocket Rocketman’.

In his Twitter feed, Hoy said he was impressed and pleased with the success of the Malaysian rider.

“A hugely popular and well earned win. We had some cracking battles over the years! Bravo and enjoy wearing the rainbow jersey @AzizulAWANG,” said the rider who represented Great Britain at the Olympics and the World Championships and Scotland at the Commonwealth Games.

Hoy is the eleven times world champion and six times Olympic gold medallist.

The Briton is the second most decorated Olympic cyclist of all time. — Bernama