Wife attributes Azizulhasni's win to discipline, sacrifice

"Discipline, sacrifice, help Azizulhasni to win the keirin gold medal at Track Cycling World Championships," said his wife, Athiah Ilyana Azizul Abd Samat.

Athiah Ilyana, 31, said Azizulhasni, who goes by the nickname 'The Pocket Rocketman', worked hard and was determined to win the race.

"Being small does not stop him from competing with the others since he has exceptional physical and mental strength.

"Boxing legend Muhammad Ali is his inspiration. On the way for training, he would listen to the boxer's words in his car," she said when met at home of her parents, here Friday.

Azizulhasni's world title win was due to his sacrifice of being separated from his family and two children.

"As his wife, I understand the situation and always pray from a distance so that he always achieve success.

"When I saw him racing, my heart pounded. When he won, I screamed with joy and was grateful for it," said Athiah Ilyana.

Azizulhasni ran a superb race to win the gold medal while Fabian Hernando Puerta Zapata (Colombia) got the silver while Tomas Babek (Czech Republic) ended with the bronze. -- Bernama