KUALA LUMPUR: Track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang, who underwent open heart surgery in 2022, has been given the all-clear to go full gas in the men's keirin event which begins at the Paris Olympics tomorrow.
National Heart Institute (IJN) senior consultant cardiothoracic surgeon, Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Jeswant Dillon, is with Azizulhasni in Paris and is monitoring his condition.
Dr Jeffrey, in a phone interview with Hot FM this morning, said he has told Azizulhasni to "go for it" in the keirin.
"Track cycling is a high intensity sport that requires the whole body and mind to be in optimum condition," said Dr. Jeffrey today.
"After his operation, he underwent a series of tests as part of his rehabilitation, first as someone who has just undergone an operation and second as someone who is competing as an elite athlete. He achieved them (passed tests and rehab) well.
"He is someone special who knows what he has to do and is very focused. With his strengths, he was able to achieve the (recovery) milestones set for him ahead of time and was able to return to training and subsequently competition faster than expected.
"I have spoken to him here and asked how he is doing. There is nothing of concern in regards to his condition.
"I have told him to do his best and go for it. The groundwork has been done and this is the time. He knows this and said he will go all out."
Azizulhasni underwent open heart surgery to correct a coronary artery anomaly, which he had suffered from since birth, in Australia in April 2022.
Dr Jeffrey, who is also an avid cyclist, had helped facilitate Azizulhasni's operation and also oversaw his recovery process.