TOKYO – The personal sacrifices of athletes are seldom known to the rest of us. However, Malaysia’s silver medal cyclist Datuk Muhammad Azizulhasni Awang gave a brief glance of what world champions go through when chasing glory for the country.
Speaking after winning the Olympics silver in the keirin finals at the Izu Velodrome in Shizuoka, Japan, an emotional Azizulhasni could speak only about the family obligations he had to forgo in pursuit of gold.
“I left my wife and children in Melbourne,” said the 33-year-old, who trains in Australia and has two daughters.
“I left my parents (at a young age). When I was in Form 3, I left my kampung. I left my mother. My mother lives alone,” he added in between sobs.
Azizulhasni took up cycling at the age of 10 and moved to the Bukit Jalil National Sports School at 15.
He also revealed his worry about his father’s health, which kept playing in his head while he competed.
Ikuti reaksi awal Datuk Azizulhasni Awang selepas memenangi pingat perak dalam acara keirin lelaki sebentar tadi.#AWANInews#WeBelangTogether#SokongMalaysia pic.twitter.com/wLcyIj4jb1
— ??Astro AWANI?? (@501Awani) August 8, 2021
“Before I left for Tokyo, I was told that my father was admitted to hospital.
“My siblings told me ‘Azizul just focus on the Olympics, don’t think about father. He only had a mild stroke’,” Azizulhasni told Astro Arena after receiving his silver medal.
“I had no option. I had to think of my obligation to the country.”
Azizulhasni – nicknamed Pocket Rocketman due to his small stature – finished behind Great Britain’s Jason Kenny, while the Netherlands’ Harrie Lavreysen won bronze.
He hails from Dungun, Terengganu, and is the eighth of nine children.
Azizulhasni won the keirin at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in 2017 – the first Malaysian to wear the coveted rainbow jersey.
He also took home bronze at the Rio Olympics in 2016. After the silver in Tokyo, he is gunning for gold in Paris in 2024.
Azizulhasni’s brother-in-law, Mohd Razman Mohamad, 36 said their family is over the moon for the cyclist’s success.
“Although the gold medal he dreamt of eluded him, we are still very proud of his achievements. Moreover, he did one better than Rio, where he won bronze.”
“We regard his Olympic success as a gift to his father, who is bedridden following a stroke.
“Win or lose, we are still very proud of Azizulhasni. He has given his all. We are confident he can deliver the gold in the next Olympics,” he told The Vibes Bahasa Malaysia sister portal Getaran when met at the family home in Dungun today.
Azizulhasni’s father, Awang Muda Embong, 71, also suffers from dementia.
Razman said Azizulhasni had called home last night to ask the family to pray for his success.
“So, we performed a solat hajat for his victory,” he said, adding that despite being away from his parents and siblings, the cyclist is committed to his family.
“Whatever the competition, he will call home. That is his routine.” – The Vibes, August 8, 2021
