PETALING JAYA: Malaysian cycling icon Azizulhasni Awang continued to showcase his enduring class after securing his second bronze medal for Malaysia at the Japan Track Cup 2 held at the Izu Velodrome today.
Widely known as “The Pocket Rocketman”, the national track cycling star finished third in the men’s individual sprint event after defeating Australian rider Tayte Ryan 2-0 in the bronze medal playoff.
The achievement came just a day after Azizulhasni Awang claimed another bronze medal in the opening keirin event, further underlining his consistent performance throughout the competition in Japan.
The gold medal in the men’s sprint event was won by Japanese rider Kaiya Ota after he defeated compatriot Shinji Nakano 2-0 in the final.
Earlier, Azizulhasni’s hopes of reaching the championship showdown were dashed in the semi-finals after he lost 2-0 to the dominant Ota.
In the other semi-final match, Nakano booked his place in the final after overcoming Ryan with the same scoreline.
Meanwhile, another Malaysian representative, Shah Firdaus Sahrom, failed to progress further after being eliminated before the quarter-finals following defeat to Nakano.
Malaysia’s women riders also endured disappointment after Nurul Izzah Izzati Asri and Nur Alyssa Farid both failed to advance into the quarter-finals.
Nurul Izzah was beaten by China’s Wang Lijuan while Nur Alyssa lost to Japanese rider Haruka Nakazawa.
Despite the mixed results, Malaysia’s challenge at the Shizuoka meet is not over yet, with Azizulhasni Awang and Shah Firdaus Sahrom set to return to action tomorrow in the keirin event of the Japan Track Cup 2.
wilayah.com.my
