There’s no time to rest
Newly-crowned world champ Azizul returns to training and his books
KUALA LUMPUR: Azizulhasni Awang is not one to rest on his laurels.
Despite having reached the pinnacle as an athlete, the newly-crowned world champion cyclist is not taking a well-deserved break.
The 29-year-old returned to his training base in Melbourne last night where he plans to juggle his schedule between studies and training.
Azizul, who bagged the keirin gold medal at the Track Cycling World Championships in Hong Kong last week, still has a year before he graduates from his Sports Science studies at the University of Victoria in Melbourne.
“I have achieved my dream to become a world champion but reaching the top does not mean I will take it easy. In fact, I have to work harder now as everyone will be out to beat me.
“When you are at the top, it is easy to fall down and I don’t want this to happen to me.
“Coach (John Beasley) is okay with me taking a few weeks break as I have not spend a lot of time with my family prior to the world meet but I want to continue training.
“I have already spent a few days here to fulfil my commitments after becoming the world champion and it’s enough. I want to be prepared when I defend my title at the World Championships (in Holland) next year.
“It will be a proud moment for me and I think of all my supporters as I will be wearing the rainbow jersey when I ride at the meet next year. But I also want to try and finish my studies before putting all my focus on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,” said Azizul who attended a meet-the-fans session in his capacity as the CIMB sports ambassador here yesterday.
Next year, Azizul will have his hands full with five World Cup meets, World Championships, the Asian Cycling Championships (National Velodrome in Nilai), the Commonwealth Games (Gold Coast, Australia) and the Asian Games (Jakarta).
“I will go for three World Cup meets, which I think should be enough to earn points to qualify for the World Championships. It will depend on the coach and the events he wants me to focus on.”