Malaysia Top Cyclist Hoping For Victory In Maiden Return After Injury

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's top track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang, also known as the pocket rocketman for his explosive speed, hopes to cap his return to competition from injury with a win. "After clocking 10.300 seconds in the morning qualifying session, I am confident of doing well in front of the local fans. I was only expecting to clock around 10.500s," he told reporters when met at the Kuala Lumpur Velodrome in Cheras here Wednesday. Azizulhasni (picture), the 2009 winner of the Keirin event in the 2008–2009 World Cup after sweeping two gold medals was also the first Malaysian to win a medal at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships, when he won silver in the men's sprint event at the 2009 World Championships in Pruszków, Poland. The 23-year-old's calf was however, skewered by a shard of Siberian pine from the track during a freak accident at the men's Keirin final of the Track World Cup in Manchester, England. In today's sprint event, the Terengganu-born beat Iran rider Ahmad Asgharpourdarabi to move into the quarterfinals of the Asian Cycling Championships (ACC) hosted by Malaysia. "I may face Japanese rider (Kazunari) Watanabe in the quarterfinal on Thursday and hope to maintain my momentum in the race. I hope to make the semifinal and final," he said. Meanwhile, the country's elite women cyclist Fatehah Mustapa also advanced to the quarterfinals of the sprint event. (photoBERNAMA) MALAYSIA