Speedy Tigers to clash with India in Asian Games final

NAGOYA: Azizulhasni Awang expressed disappointment after failing to reach the men's individual sprint final at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. The 38-year-old cyclist secured bronze after losing to China's Li Zhiwei in the semi-finals, and then defeating Thailand's Jai Angsuthasawit in the third-place decider. Azizulhasni lamented his inability to compete in the final against Japan's Kaiya Ota, stating, "I could not match the strength of the Chinese rider, perhaps because my preparations were interrupted."

The cyclist acknowledged his leg speed but highlighted a lack of strength in his preparations, which may have contributed to his performance. Despite the bronze medal, Azizulhasni remains dissatisfied, as he had high expectations based on his qualifying time of 9.467 seconds. Japan's Ota ultimately triumphed in the final, claiming gold. Azizulhasni's attention now turns to tomorrow's keirin event, where he and fellow Malaysian Shah Firdaus Sahrom will compete.

The Malaysian cyclist enters the event as the favorite, having won three keirin gold medals this season, including two at the UCI World Cup series and one at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Azizulhasni expressed excitement for the upcoming race, stating, "I am really looking forward to it. After missing out on a gold medal in the sprint, I am going to give everything tomorrow."

This will be Azizulhasni's final event in the Asian Games career, with the ultimate goal of clinching a gold medal in the keirin race. He emphasized the importance of being in the final, saying, "First I want to be in the final and if I make it there, I will be hunting for gold." In the women's individual sprint, Malaysian athletes Izzah Izzati Asri and Nur Alyssa Farid will participate in the quarter-finals tomorrow.