Azizulhasni all fired up for Tokyo Olympics after UCI No. 1 ranking in sprint

KUALA LUMPUR: National cycling icon Mohd Azizulhasni Awang is all fired up for the Tokyo Olympics in July after being ranked No. 1 in the individual sprint in the latest UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale) rankings.

“I am very happy with the current ranking. It is certainly a booster for me in preparing for the Tokyo Olympics. It is also good news for the cycling arena in the country.

“I hope Malaysians will continue pray that I can win a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics,” he told Bernama today.

Based on the latest rankings issued by UCI, the world governing body for sports cycling, on Tuesday (Feb 9), Azizulhasni, fondly called ‘The Pocket Rocketman’, collected 1,600 points to clinch the top spot in the individual sprint.

Japanese cyclist Tomohiro Fukaya is second with 1,442.5 points followed by Sam Webster of New Zealand in third place (1,390 points).

In keirin, Azizulhasni is in second place after collecting 1,740 points, coming behind Kevin Quintero of Colombia who collected 1,790 points.

The 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medallist also said the good news is also a source of inspiration to all young athletes in the country to chase their dreams.

Meanwhile, in a Twitter post, Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican extended congratulations to Azizulhasni over the feat.

“You’ve already been number 1 in Malaysia for so long…and now you’ve taken your well deserved spot at the top of the world. Steady Jijoe! @AzizulAWANG Keep it up,” said Reezal Merican on his Twitter handle @reezal_merican, today.

In the individual sprint category, Mohd Azizulhasni's teammates namely Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom is in 18th spot with 922.5 points, Muhammad Fadhil Mohd Zonis 103rd (237 points) while Amar Danial Masri is in 248th place ( 75 points).

-- BERNAMA