Azizul aims to repeat feat at Tokyo Olympics
Published on: Sunday, April 16, 2017
PETALING JAYA: Azizulhasni Awang who won the gold medal at the Track Cycling World Championships in Hong Kong is aiming to repeat it at the Tokyo olympics in 2020.The pint-sized "Pocket Rocketman" said he had been chasing the dream since 2007."I've ended up with the bronze and silver twice ... and even lost only by millimetres, but I never gave up.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I believed that if I kept working hard and believing in myself, my time will come.He said every day, during the training session,he would push the boundaries hard."When I first started, people said that I would not be successful in the sport because of my size."I know I'm racing against giants ... big, powerful guys out there. But in this battle I showed what it's like in David versus Goliath.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I believe that if you want something, there is always a way to get it."You just have to work it out and never give up ... and I did that, believe Allah listened to my call.
ADVERTISEMENT
And this time, Hong Kong is the witness of this history."Having become a world champion he hopes to achieve another dream before I retire from track cycling."I went for gold in (the) Rio de Janeiro (Olympics), but the outcome was not what I wanted."It will be a good indicator of where I stand in the next Olympics in Tokyo in three years' time."I don't see any reason why I can't perform well because I saw the progress I made in Rio."I want to bring back the country's first Olympic gold medal.It is important for me to plan my preparations and be in the strongest shape when I go to Tokyo in 2020", he said.At the Asian Cycling Championships in New Delhi, India, in February, He was aiming to win the keirin gold medal but I did not do well because he was not familiar with the new change of rules.Deep in my heart, I knew I could pull it off when I came here (Hong Kong). My legs felt awesome going into the final and I gave everything I got to power to the finish line.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
Daily Express Malaysia
