BRISBANE, April 6 — Even though national cyclist Mohd Azizulhasni Awang failed to contribute a medal in the keirin event today, he should be commended for taking up the challenge in the 2018 Commonwealth Games through sheer fighting spirit.
He could have withdrawn from the competition, but the thoughts of his responsibility to the country made Mohd Azizulhasni went on with keirin race even though he gave in to his coach John Beasley to withdraw from the men’s sprint event.
Not having fully recovered from a virus infection, Mohd Azizulhasni still managed to qualify for the finals when two other national riders, Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom and Muhammad Fadhil Mohd Zonis were knocked out in earlier rounds.
“I am a fighter. Despite my health, I still appear ok from my performance. It is because I want to take the responsibility, we are talking about national duty.
“It was a right decision for me to skip the sprint event as advised by John, hopefully it will allow me to fully recover for the Asian Games,” he said at the Anna Meares Velodrome here.
Mohd Azizulhasni completed the race in the sixth place while the gold medal was won by hosts cyclist Matt Glaetzer, followed by Oliva Lewis of Wales for the silver and Edward Dawkins of New Zealand took the bronze.
The Dungun-born cycling champion was clearly disappointed at failing to defend the bronze medal he won in the 2014 edition in Glasgow, Scotland and missed presenting a medal to his coach on his coming birthday.
“I actually struggled as I could not recover on time between the semi-finals and final which was just 15 minutes apart. At the starting line in the final, I was barely in tip-top racing condition.
“At the race, I just could not counterattack when the moment came, and after the race, I fell like my chest is bursting and had to lie down awhile to catch my breath. I went to downstairs to get some oxygen to help me breathe normally again,” he said.
Asked if this would be his last Commonwealth Games, Mohd Aizuzlhasni vehemently denied the suggestion and said he would in Birmingham in 2022.
“I don’t think this is my last Commonwealth,” he stressed. — Bernama
