PARIS: National track cycling ace Azizulhasni Awang is not likely to push for another four years to redeem his gold medal dream at the Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) Olympics.
Speaking to Bernama at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines National Velodrome, the 36-year-old said he had promised his family that, the Paris 2024 would be his last Olympics after undergoing open heart surgery just over two years ago.
The 'Pocket Rocketman' said although he could try to make it for LA28 by properly taking care of his body, he felt the need to take a break after facing the pressure and challenges in the sport for close to two decades and wanted to pass the baton to next generation.
"Though I will be 40, if I take care of my body well, I know the blueprint, what to do and all, of course it will be difficult, but I can make it happen. But the thing is, after the heart operation, my mum, wife and kids have forced me to retire, and I had promised that Paris would be my last Olympics.
"So, I don't know if they would allow (me to continue), but it has been way too long. At some point yes, we want to continue, we have fire inside us, but I believe at some point have to step back too. Probably, I will race for one or two more years.
"So far I don't have any concrete plan…I have a lot of plans, but I just want to take a break, see my family and relax first. Once I'm back to Malaysia, I will sit down and discuss again," he said.
On Saturday, Azizulhasni, who arrived in Paris as the country's hope for a gold medal, was disqualified in the men's keirin first round for passing the derny before it left the track.
In April 2022, the experienced track cyclist underwent open heart surgery at the Epworth Richmond Hospital, Melbourne, due to a rare heart condition known as anomalous aortic origin of the right coronary artery (AAORCA).
Azizulhasni, who apologised to all Malaysians for coming short of getting the country's maiden gold medal at the Games, said he was more devastated than anyone else due to the unfortunate incident.
"Malaysians are indeed sad, disappointed, there may be some who are angry, I understand, but imagine me. If the Malaysians want the gold, imagine me, I want it maybe one thousand, one million times more.
"I am the one who worked so hard, represented Malaysia for years, worked very hard to qualify and prepare with all the difficulties we went through. But this is part of the sport," he said.
Moving forward, Azizulhasni said was passionate about helping elite athletes, elevating young athletes or coaching, but there were no concrete plans yet to give back to the sport, besides completing his clinical exercise science degree.
Meanwhile, the 'Pocket Rocketman' expressed disappointment over inconsistent judging and with the way certain things were handled at the international level of the sport.
Azizulhasni is the country's most decorated track cyclist to date, having won the 2017 World Championships keirin gold medal.
He also became the country's first Olympic medallist in cycling, when he won the keirin bronze at Rio 2016, before claiming the silver in Tokyo 2020, also in keirin.– BERNAMA