AZIZULHASNI Awang missed out on a slot in the keirin final at the UCI Track World Championships in Melbourne yesterday but sealed both slots for the Olympics.
The debate over whether Azizulhasni or Josiah Ng would ride in the keirin and 200m sprint at the Olympics in July and August was put to rest after the 24-year-old proved that he is the best Malaysian for both jobs.In the keirin yesterday, Azizulhasni won his first round heat for an automatic slot in the second round where he finished fifth in his heat won by Germany's Maximillian Levy ahead of Japan's Kazunari Watanabe and New Zealand's Simon Van Velthooven.
In the seventh to 12th classification race, Azizulhasni finished behind Australia's Scott Sunderland and Venezuela's Hersony Canelon to rank ninth.
Josiah and Edrus Yunos both lost out in their opening round heats and failed to make it through via the repechages.
The keirin was won by reigning Olympic champion Chris Hoy of Britain ahead of Levy, while Van Velthooven took the bronze medal.
Though disappointed with the overall outcome of this World Championships campaign, Azizulhasni can now focus fully on his medal assault at the Olympics.
"In the second round heat, I got boxed in but managed to manoeuvre myself clear. By then the other riders were already too fast and there was no time to catch up. It was a very fast race," said Azizulhasni.
"We are through to the Olympics and I will peak in London."
National team manager Datuk Naim Mohamad confirmed that Azizulhasni will be the one riding for the country in both the keirin and 200m sprint at the Olympics, despite attempts by Josiah to turn a decision in his favour.
"Now all that is left is for Azizul to be careful and stay safe.
"He has to stay clear of injuries as we prepare him for the Olympics," said Naim.
"He has the sprint and keirin spot to focus on."
By Arnaz M. Khairul - New Straits Times
0 comments:
Post a Comment