Shanghai shortcoming fails to dim stellar season for Azizulhasni
KUALA LUMPUR: Azizulhasni Awang fell short of his own expectations in the keirin at the Shanghai World Championships but that has not stopped him from declaring this year to be the "best season of his career".
KUALA LUMPUR: Azizulhasni Awang's season in 2022 has been hailed as his best, despite falling short of his keirin goals at the Shanghai World Championships. The 38-year-old, a former world champion, did not advance past the quarter-finals in the event that defines his career expectations. He also reached the second round in the men's individual sprint at the Shanghai Velodrome.
While disappointed not to secure the keirin final, Azizulhasni admitted it was a bitter pill to swallow, as he drew fifth for the quarter-finals and was boxed in twice during the sprint. He takes full responsibility for his performance, stating that anything can happen in keirin racing. Azizulhasni's other goal was to secure a top-10 finish in the individual sprint, which he achieved by qualifying eighth.
This season has seen him win two keirin golds and two individual sprint bronzes in the UCI World Cup series, as well as clinch keirin gold at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Despite the high-intensity competition, he views this season as his best, especially with three major championships in a 90-day period.
The team sprint squads for both men and women did not perform at their best in Shanghai, finishing 16th and 11th respectively. The next challenge for the squad is the Asian Championships, set to take place at the National Velodrome in Nilai from January 31 to February 6.
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