National cyclist Azizulhasni Awang emphasized the importance of family over sporting accolades following his gold medal victory in the keirin event at the Asian Games held in Aichi-Nagoya. The 38-year-old champion took time off to spend 48 hours with his family immediately after the competition.

In a social media post, Azizulhasni expressed his preference for his family to watch his races from home, citing concerns about their well-being during live events. He explained that the controlled environment of home viewing reduces stress for his loved ones, whose anxiety he worries about when attending in person. Despite this, he made an exception for his final Asian Games appearance by bringing them to the Izu Velodrome.

Azizulhasni also marked the occasion by wishing his wife, Athiah Ilyana Abdul Samat, a happy birthday, highlighting the personal significance of balancing family commitments with his demanding athletic career.

Looking ahead, Azizulhasni is preparing for the World Championships in Shanghai, scheduled from October 14 to 18. This event will serve as the beginning of the qualifying period for track cycling spots at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. If he secures qualification, he will become the first Malaysian athlete to participate in six Olympic Games.

Despite his competitive ambitions, Azizulhasni revealed a deep emotional connection to his family, noting that he prefers to travel alone to avoid the pain of farewells at airports. He described each step toward departure as emotionally difficult, underlining the emotional challenges that accompany a professional sports career.