KUALA LUMPUR: Cyclist Azizulhasni Awang and rhythmic gymnast Amy Kwan were crowned men and women’s Olympian of the Year at the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) Awards ceremony in Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday.
Azizulhasni endured a tough start to the year as a viral infection saw him failing to defend his rainbow jersey in the keirin at the World Championships in Apeldoorn in March.
He also returned without a medal a month later at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.
But he was in his element at the Indonesia Asian Games in August, winning the individual sprint gold, team sprint silver and keirin bronze.
And the 30-year-old is now looking forward to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
"I am very grateful to win this award for the first time," said Azizul, who is in London for the UCI World Cup Series.
"It provides me the added motivation in my mission to qualify for the Olympics.”
Amy, who won two gold and two silver at last year’s Kuala Lumpur Sea Games, enjoyed a stellar outing at the Commonwealth Games with one gold (ribbon), one silver (team all-around) and two bronze (individual all-around and hoop).
The duo each received RM10,000 cash and an Olympian of the Year medal.
Other awards
Special Awards: Goh Jin Wei (badminton) and national youth hockey 5s team
IOC Trophy: BA of Malaysia (BAM)
OCM Women & Sport: Susan Loh (ice hockey)