GLASGOW, Aug 1 — National track cycling ace Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang delivered a gold medal for Malaysia after winning the men’s keirin final at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome here, last night.
Australia’s Leigh Hoffman took silver, while England’s Harry Ledingham-Horn completed the podium with bronze.
Another Malaysian rider, Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom, finished seventh.
The historic success ended Azizulhasni's long wait to become a Commonwealth Games champion after previously managing only two bronze medals, in addition to being denied a gold medal at the New Delhi 2010 edition, when his victory was overturned.
Overwhelmed by emotion after the race, the 38-year-old Terengganu-born rider said the victory was even more meaningful because it came after endless prayers offered throughout his stay in Glasgow.
Fighting back tears, Azizulhasni said the gold medal was extremely special because he plans to end his career on the Commonwealth Games stage after this edition concludes.
"I prayed so hard to Allah every day. I said, 'Ya Allah, please grant me a gold medal. I really want to end my career with a gold medal.' Alhamdulillah, Allah granted my prayer," said the rider, popularly known as 'The Pocket Rocketman’, when met by Bernama after the final here.
"My last Commonwealth Games, winning gold... nothing more I can ask. I wanted to prove to myself and to the world that I can still win at 38 years old. Thank God, today I proved it to the whole world," added the 2017 keirin world champion.
In today's race, Azizulhasni delivered a commendable performance to overcome Hoffman and Ledingham-Horn.
Another national rider, Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom, placed seventh.
Azizulhasni said he chose to remain patient throughout the race before seizing the opportunity to overtake Hoffman once he saw an opening heading into the first turn, thereby controlling the race all the way to the finish line.
The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games keirin silver medalist also admitted it was hard to believe he could defeat a lineup of riders considered stronger, but believes experience and tactical wisdom made the difference.
"As you guys can see, I was really, really emotional after the race. I felt very emotional and in disbelief because if you compare me to all the riders in the final just now, I am the rider with the lower power output.
"But for me, I took it one step at a time. I believed in myself, I believed in my ability. In the keirin, number one is tactics. So today I showed the world that I'm the best tactician in the keirin event."
For the record, Azizulhasni, who is making his fourth Commonwealth Games appearance, won bronze medals in the team sprint event at the 2010 edition and the keirin at the 2014 edition, which also took place in Glasgow.
His success also presented the seventh gold medal for the Malaysian contingent at Glasgow 2026 and the national track cycling squad's maiden gold here.
