KUALA LUMPUR: Track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang has urged Malaysians to support the next generation of national riders following his retirement from the sport.
Azizulhasni said he hopes riders such as Shah Firdaus Sahrom, who reached the keirin final at the Paris Olympics today, and those coming up the ranks can "continue his legacy".
The 36-year-old has for a while said that he would retire from the national team after the Paris Olympics.
"I was hoping for the best for Shah (in keirin) because I know his potential," Azizulhasni told Astro Arena today.
"I hope Shah, his younger brother Ridwan, as well as the other (younger) riders can continue my legacy.
"It is not about me anymore. Sports fans, Malaysians please stop talking about me, support him (Shah and others) instead."
Azizulhasni added that he is looking to give back to Malaysian sports.
"Now it is about giving back to the people," said Azizulhasni.
"Whatever help they need, I will be there for them, be it my team (members), John Beasley (coach) or any sport in Malaysia.
"If they need my help I will try and come and suppport them as much as I can."
Azizulhasni's campaign in Paris came to a disappointing end after he was disqualified in the men's keirin yesterday.
Azizulhasni, drawn sixth behind the derny, was judged to have overtaken the derny before it left the track during his first round heat at the Saint Quentin en Yvelines Velodrome.
Chef de mission Datuk Hamidin Amin confirmed that Malaysia filed an appeal following Azizulhasni's disqualification but were unable to overturn the decision.
Azizulhasni has otherwise had a stellar career with his 2017 keirin world title and two Olympic medals at Rio 2016 (bronze) and Tokyo 2020 (silver) being among the highlights.