Rio 2016: Others should fear me - Azizulhasni

Full of confidence to reach the podium in his third Olympic appearance, the keirin rider said that he was well prepared and excited about the challenge and would not settle for anything less than his bronze medal feat at the World Championships in London in March.

"There was no nervousness in the air when I arrived at the Games Village here yesterday. I have matured over the last eight years and can't wait for the challenge," he told the Malaysian media at the Games Village here, Sunday.

Woman's sprint rider Fatehah Mustapa and national coach John Beasley also spoke at the media conference after arriving here yesterday following a five-week training stint in Portugal.

The 28-year old Azizulhasni, better know as 'Pocket Rocketman', said the preparation this time for the Olympics compared to the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London editions was much better and there could be no excuses.

"Now I am at a different level...I am more alert now and do not fear the big names such as favourites Joachim Eilers from Germany and Ed Dawkins from New Zealand," he said.

In fact, he said, all the riders were familiar faces to him as they too saw each other in other championships and in the World Cup and World Championships.

"They are the ones who should fear me because they don't know what to expect from me.

"Although I am small in size, they know I can sprang surprises," said Azizulhasni who stands at 166cm and weighs 69kg.

On the new Rio Olympic Velodrome, the rider who had a feel of the venue today, said he liked the track as the design of the velodrome was similar to his training venue in Melbourne, Australia.

"The designer for both velodromes, here and where I train in Melbourne is the same and there are many similarities. The straight towards the finishing line is long and I like it because it allows me to increase my speed," he said.

Azizulhasni's keirin event will be on Aug 16 while Fatehah will take on the challenge in sprint, two days earlier.

Azizulhasni finished 10th in Beijing in 2008 and improved to sixth spot in London.

Meanwhile, Fatehah said that although the 200m sprint event was not her favourite race, she has been working hard in training since making the cut for the event here.