MOHD Azizulhasni Awang made it 111th for Malaysia as the country finally achieved its overall Sea Games medal target after the Keirin World Champion won in the men’s sprint category at the National Velodrome in Nilai, tonight.
The Olympic bronze medallist did what he came to the Sea Games to do, and that was to win the gold medal in front of the home crowd when he beat compatriot Shah Firdaus Sahrom in his last Sea Games ever.
“This is my first Sea Games medal in the individual category, adding to the gold I won 10-years ago in Korat I heat sprint and silver in the sprint and 1km.”
“After 10 years and performing infront of my home crowd; parents; in-laws; wife and kids; who rarely see me live in action; and team Azizul as well, makes me proud. Such a great memory for me in my last Sea Games.”
Azizul, who fell just before the start of race two against Shah Firdaus, felt a little sore in his elbow and caused slight tears in his cycling outfit but did not let that deter his performance.
“Maybe because it’s a new track and the surface was slick. I was in shock but ignored the splinter and tear once I started racing.”
“My elbow felt a slight tinge but my focus was on winning the gold medal. Shah Firdaus didn’t let up either and he’s a fantastic opponent.”
The 28-year-old said performing in front of the home crowd felt the same as performing at the Olympics given the overwhelming ambience. He adds the pressure of it all, with him dedicating the win to his wife, Athiah Ilyana Abd Samat.
“After 10-years, I gift this win to her because it was 10-years ago in Korat that I won and I dedicated it to her.”
“Now we have two kids and I’m getting older so this is my gift to her again.
Meanwhile, in the all-Malaysian showdown for the gold medal in the women’s sprint category, Fatehah Mustapa prevailed over Farina Shawati Mohd Adnan to secure the 110th gold medal when she won both races while Farina takes silver.
In the men’s individual pursuit, it was Eiman Firdaus Mohd Zamri who clinched the gold medal when he defeated compatriot Mohd Nur Aiman Mohd Zariff with a time of 4:33.863s.
This is the first gold medal won by Malaysia in the individual pursuit since M Kumaresan in 1989 at the then, newly-built Kuala Lumpur Velodrome. It was a blessing for Eiman having to achieve the same feat at the newly-built National Velodome in Nilai.
“I am so grateful and so honoured to be next to a legend like M Kumaresan.”
Eiman, 18, had also set a new national record of 4:25.352s to top the qualifying ahead of Nur Aiman, who clocked his personal best of 4:27.957s.
The men’s omnium category saw Malaysia clinch the silver medal after Sofian Nabil Omar Mohd Bakri’s strong effort to collect 136pts in the men’s omnium, just four-points short of Singapore’s Calvin Sim, who took the gold medal at 140pts.
The same category saw Malaysia’s Zawawi Azman end in seventh with 106pts.
The track cycling competition continues with Azizulhasni doing what he does best in keirin, today.