Azizulhasni sought father's blessings before keirin event - Family

Azizulhasni's attributes were acknowledged by his brother-in-law, Mohd Razman Mohamad, 36, who described the athlete as an individual who should be emulated by others in various aspects, not only in the sport of cycling.

He said Azizulhasni, better known as Jijoe among family members, contacted his father, Awang Embong, 72, who was bedridden due to a stroke, last night, to ask for his blessings and prayers for victory in the keirin event at the Olympics, today.

He added that although Azizulhasni won a silver medal and not a gold medal as desired by all Malaysians, Azizulhasni's determination is enough to make the whole family extremely proud.

"Jijoe called the family last night to say hello, and asked us to pray for his success.

"Hence, I asked all Jojie's nine siblings to perform Solat Hajat (prayer of need), not only for his success but also his safety, to avoid a similar incident that befell his teammate the other day," he said when contacted by reporters today.

In this morning event, Azizulhasni has done the nation proud by finishing second behind the British champion, Jason Kenny, while the Dutch rider, Harrie Lavreysen, who is also the 2020 world champion, in third place.

Mohd Razman said in a phone conversation last night, Azizulhasni, who is the eighth of nine siblings, also stated that he would dedicate the victory at the Olympics to his father, who suffers from dementia.

"Earlier, we let my father watch the match live on the phone because he could not sit, and his health is deteriorating lately.

"Here, I would also like to ask Malaysians to pray for my father's recovery so that he can watch Jijoe make the country proud in the next Olympics," he said.