Rocketman’s last Asiad, Commonwealth quests

The Pocket Rocketman will make one last orbit at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games this year.

Datuk Azizulhasni Awang aims to leave in a blaze of glory in Birmingham and Hangzhou, giving the nation something to remember.

The Olympic silver medallist said he plans to retire from competitive cycling after the 2024 Paris Olympics and thus will not compete in the 2028 editions of the Commonwealth Games and the Asiad.

The keirin specialist disclosed this in his pre-recorded acceptance speech at the National Sports Awards in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday.

Azizulhasni, 34, was named the men’s Athlete of the Year for 2019-2020. It is the fourth time he has won the accolade after the previous titles in 2009, 2010 and 2017.

“I am grateful to have the opportunity to once again win this award. I apologise for not being able to return to Malaysia to accept it personally,” said Azizulhasni.

“I am undergoing training (in Melbourne) as part of my preparations for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games which is only 128 days away (as of Tuesday) as well as the Hangzhou Asian Games, which is 172 days from now.

“With God’s will, my plan is to retire after Paris 2024, so this will be my final appearance at the Commonwealth and Asian Games.

“Thus I would like to give my full focus (to preparations) to ensure that I am able to perform my best at these events and once again create history for Malaysian sports.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the government, specifically the National Sports Council and the National Sports Institute for their support as well as the Olympic Council of Malaysia and the Malaysia National Cycling Federation.

“As a son of Terengganu, I would also like to express my gratitude to the Terengganu State Sports Council and the Terengganu State Government as well as my coach John Beasley, wife, family and teammates.”

The Dungun-born rider has won two gold, one silver and one bronze at the previous editions of the Asian Games as well as two bronze at the Commonwealth Games.

Azizulhasni has been based in Melbourne together with the rest of the national elite squad since 2007 as Malaysia, previously lacked a world class velodrome and high level competitions.

The squad are, however, expected to shift their base to Malaysia at the end of this year to train at the relatively new National Velodrome in Nilai.

NST