Pocket Rocketman back in orbit

KUALA LUMPUR: Former world keirin champion Azizulhasni Awang has returned to light training on track after undergoing heart surgery in April.

National head coach John Beasley said he is pleased with the progress Azizulhasni, 34, has made so far but made it clear that it will be some time before the Olympic silver medallist returns to his best.

“He is recovering well but it will take time (to rebuild) because he lost six kilogrammes of muscle mass since the operation,” said Beasley.

“It’s his third week back on track this week (last week). At the moment we are just doing two (training) days per week.”

The Pocket Rocketman had complained of chest pain in February and following a series of consultations and tests was diagnosed with anomalous aortic origin of the right coronary artery (AAORCA), a condition which he was born with.

The Dungun-born rider went under the knife of renowned cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Aubrey Almeida at the Epworth Richmond Hospital in Melbourne on April 21.

The surgery has ruled Azizulhasni out of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games on July 28-Aug 8. He is not expected to return to competition until next season.

NST