Last ride into history: Azizul targets historic second Asiad sprint gold

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, September 29, 2026

Malaysian cyclist Azizulhasni Awang will compete in the keirin event at the Asian Games, aiming to become the first male cyclist to win two gold medals in a track sprint discipline at the event. His bid marks a major comeback after missing the last Games due to injury, with his experience and recent Commonwealth Games win positioning him as a strong contender despite fierce competition.

Azizulhasni Awang aims to make history at the upcoming Asian Games by becoming the first male cyclist to win two gold medals in a track sprint discipline at the event. The 38-year-old Malaysian will compete in the keirin event on Friday in Shizuoka, Japan, seeking to add to his previous Asian Games triumphs—a keirin gold in Guangzhou in 2010 and an individual sprint title in Jakarta in 2018.

Since returning from retirement a year ago, Azizulhasni has maintained a remarkable record, medaling in all 10 competitions he has entered. His determination remains strong despite stiff competition from younger riders from Japan and China, nations traditionally dominant in cycling disciplines. Azizul highlighted the importance of tactics and experience to offset the physical advantages of his rivals, acknowledging the challenge posed by their versatility across multiple events.

Azizulhasni stressed that maintaining peak condition would be critical, particularly given the short interval of eight weeks since his Commonwealth Games success in Glasgow, where he captured the elusive keirin gold. The veteran cyclist also noted logistical hurdles, including a lengthy 27-hour journey from the team’s training camp in Brisbane, Australia, to the Games’ venue. The travel itinerary involved flights to Hong Kong and Nagoya, followed by a three-hour bus transfer to Izu, adding to the physical demands ahead of competition.

The Malaysian track cycling squad began their campaign with the team sprint event, but Azizulhasni and teammate Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom were not competing in that discipline. Both riders are set to start their individual contests in the sprint qualifying rounds scheduled for Thursday.

Azizulhasni missed the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou three years ago due to a training accident shortly before departure, making this edition a significant comeback for the seasoned athlete. If successful, he would rewrite Asian Games history by securing a second gold in a men’s track sprint event, a feat yet to be achieved by any competitor from the continent.

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