KUALA LUMPUR: The 12th day of the Paris Olympics yesterday put Malaysian fans through a rollercoaster of emotions.
Track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang - the nation's last realistic hope for a gold medal - opened his campaign in Paris by smashing his own national record in the men's individual sprint qualifying round.
Azizulhasni, 36, would go on to reach the third round before losing to the Netherlands' Jeffrey Hoogland. Teammate Shah Firdaus Sahrom, 28, did not make it past the first round repechage.
Debutante Izzah Izzati Asri, 20, fared similarly in the women's keirin as she was unable to advance past the first round repechage.
They will next compete in the men's keirin, in which Azizulhasni and Shah will be gunning for gold, and women's individual sprint which both begin on Saturday.
In weightlifting, Aniq Kasdan finished an agonising fourth in the men's under-61 kilogramme class, missing the podium by a mere one kg.
It was nevertheless a commendable performance from the 22-year-old as he broke the national record for the snatch in what was his Olympic debut.
In diving, Nur Dhabitah Sabri advanced to the women's 3 metre springboard individual event semi-finals, which will be held later today, after placing 12th from 28 divers in the preliminaries.
In golf, Ashley Lau began her campaign in the women's individual event with a respectable even-par 72 to end the first round tied for 13th at Le Golf National.
Malaysians in action today (Aug 8)
Diving
Women's 3m springboard individual, semi-finals, 4pm: Nur Dhabitah Sabri
Golf
Women's individual event, round two, 3pm: Ashley Lau