Sukan Asia: ‘Pocket Rocketman’ raih gangsa acara pecut

Azizulhasni Awang, nicknamed "Pocket Rocketman," secured a gold medal in the individual men's sprints event at the Sukan Asia Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in the Velodrom Izu today. The 38-year-old Malaysian cyclist overcame disappointment from his second-place finish in the penultimate race to snatch the gold medal in the final sprint race, defeating Thailand's Jaim Angsuthasawit.

Azizulhasni had previously failed to advance to the final after losing to China's Li Zhiwei in both the middle and final sprints. However, the Olympian surged to victory in the sprint final, completing his country's podium in the event. Azizulhasni's gold medal follows his previous win at the Sukan Asia Jakarta-Palembang 2018. Following his success, the cyclist shifted his focus to his beloved keirin racing, where he has an opportunity to add more medals.

Malaysia's velodrome-based team also secured a silver medal in the women's sprint event, as well as a bronze medal in the men's sprints through Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri's performance in the women's keirin race.