PETALING JAYA: Datuk Azizulhasni Awang was so focused on winning a gold that he was overwhelmed with emotion despite becoming the first Malaysian to win a silver in cycling at the Olympic Games.
With the weight of the nation on his shoulders to end the country’s wait for its first gold medal in the Olympics, the determined 33-year-old put on a valiant ride in the men’s keirin final and went on to finish second to Britain’s Jason Kenny.
After the race was over, the ace cyclist from Dungun, Terengganu, broke down.
“During centralised training, I had to leave my wife and kids behind in Melbourne. My children are growing up fast,” said Azizul, a father to two daughters.
“When I was about to leave for Tokyo, I found out that my father was admitted to Hospital Kuala Terengganu for a mild stroke.
“But I had to fulfil my duty to the country.
“I’m so, so sorry,” he sobbed.
Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, who was there with Azizul in Tokyo, consoled the Malaysian and told him to chin up.
“I cannot imagine the journey Azizul has gone through and the disappointment of missing out on gold. But I’ve told Azizul that he should be proud,” said Reezal, who shared a video of his meeting with Azizul, where the latter was seen crying unabashedly.
“He felt it was his best chance to get a gold, and naturally, he was overwhelmed. We told him that we were just overjoyed with his victory and more importantly that he stayed safe.
“Every Malaysian felt Jijoe’s (his nickname) spirit in pushing beyond the limit. He did not give up on his pursuit to win glory for the country. That was a priceless performance.
“Azizul has inspired every sportsman and woman in the nation and also every Malaysian. Resilience, mental strength and the undying fire to win; he showed it all.
“His tears today will only fire up the spirit of our future athletes to continue fighting for the nation. I hope he will not give up and remember this experience in Tokyo as a huge milestone,” Reezal Merican said.
Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) president Tan Sri Norza Zakaria, who was with Azizul after the race, said he was proud to see the ‘warrior’ giving his all.
“Imagine on the last day of the Olympics, the burden put on Azizul to deliver is tremendous. But he stayed calm and performed in every race. He is an inspiration to budding athletes, and he has carved a path for a brighter future in sports,” said Norza.
“He has shown that he is on par with some of the best in the world. In his semi-final race, there were so many world-class riders, but he did well to finish first. OCM would like to thank Azizul for his stellar performance.
“We are very proud of what he has done for Malaysian cycling over the years.”
Malaysian National Cycling Federation vice-president Datuk Amarjit Singh Gill, who presented the medal to Azizulhasni at the podium, said his outing was an improvement and one that should be lauded.
“Today, Azizul fought all the way, and his actions on the track were simply commendable.
“We are proud of him. We will now look forward to 2024 to continue with cycling’s good showing in the Olympics,” he said.
The Malaysian team’s chef-de-mission Datuk Lee Chong Wei said the people’s hearts were pounding during the final and celebrated as though Azizul had won the gold.
“Congrats, my brother, Datuk Azizulhasni Awang. We are proud to see the Malaysian flag being hoisted. I want to thank you for uniting us.
“You have bronze and now a silver. I believe gold will be in your hand in Paris,” he said.