Skip to main content

CYCLING: Azizul on the prowl

World No 1 returns to favourite hunting ground in Cali

  THE second round of the UCI World Cup in Cali, Colombia this weekend will give Azizul Hasni Awang a chance to regain his confidence in his comeback.
  The 23-year-old still holds on to his World No 1 spot in the keirin despite a lacklustre return to racing in the opening round of the World Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan on Nov 4-6.

  In his first competition since recovering from a  career threatening calf injury sustained in the final round of last season's World Cup in Manchester, Azizul went out in the first round repechages of the keirin.

  Josiah Ng won the repechage heat in which Azizul was eliminated and went on to finish fourth in the final. Though Josiah has only a  slim chance of qualifying for an individual spot in the Olympics, the points did add to the nation's rankings.

  Fatehah Mustapa is also in Cali, having delivered on her three-gold medal target in the Sea Games in Jakarta last week and will now look to cement her spot with Malaysia currently 12th in the women's keirin rankings.

  National team manager Datuk Naim Mohamad said there was no particular concern with Azizul's poor showing in Astana and expectations are that he will produce improvements in Cali.

  "It was a good warm-up for Azizul in Astana and Josiah also showed that he is still able to step up a gear and rank among the best," said Naim.

  "It is still early days and our sights are on the Olympics in London. Cali is Azizul's favourite hunting ground and he has many admirers among the cycling fans there, so he won't be short of supporters there.

  "At the same time, we're not pressuring Azizul to quickly start producing  results. He has time and he's not in danger of losing the Olympic spot and neither is his ranking threatened."

  The squad  arrived in Cali on Saturday to  acclimatise and prepare for the meet.

  Naim said Azizul is  expected to be back at his best when he heads to the third round of the World Cup in Beijing, the scene of his  first ever World Cup gold medal in 2008, on Jan 13-15.

  "We expect that Beijing will be where we will see Azizul back at his best. After that, we head to London for the final round of the World Cup which will be held on the same velodrome that hosts the Olympics," said Naim.

  "The World Championships in Melbourne will be his first big target, before we take a break and prepare for the Olympics."

Read more: NST

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ex-coach's jail sentence cut to a year

PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal yesterday sentenced former athletics coach C. Ramanathan to 12 months' jail for molesting two junior athletes 19 years ago. A three-man bench led by Datuk Mohd Hishamudin Mohd Yunus unanimously dismissed Ramanathan's appeal against conviction, but varied the jail sentence of four years to a year, which was to run concurrently. Following yesterday's ruling, Ramanathan, 75, a former teacher, walked out a free man as he had served 10 months in Kajang Prison. Convicts get one-third remission for good behaviour while in prison. However, he will lose his pension. Hishamudin, who sat with Datuk Abdul Wahab Patail and Datuk Linton Albert, said the court found no merit to overturn the conviction. "However, in reducing the sentence, we considered Ramanathan's age and the long years the appeal has taken." Deputy public prosecutor Awang Armadajaya Awang Mahmud submitted that then High Court judge Tan Sri Abdull Hamid E...
2 comments
Read more

Govt Always Gives Emphasis To Sporting Culture, Says PM

KUALA TERENGGANU, May 29 (Bernama) -- Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badaw i said the government always gives emphasis on cultivating a strong sporting culture in achieving excellence at the international level. As such, the Prime Minister said, it was important to scout for young talents in sports. "I observe that the Malaysia Games (Sukma) has become one of the important platforms to do so. "In this arena, the potentials and skills of the youngsters can be identified for development so that they can achieve greater success in sports," he said in his message in the souvenir book of the 12th Sukma from May 31 until June 9. Abdullah said he was aware that competition in sports was very keen and challenging but this did not mean that Malaysian athletes were incapable of competing at the international level. "The fact is that we have all the characteristics required to be excellent. We must inculcate a strong fighting spirit so that we don't easily surrender,...
1 comment
Read more

Chance to catch Messi and company

  FAM deputy president Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and vice president Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin with FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Pic by Osman Adnan LIONEL Messi's presence alone could sell half the tickets despite reigning world club champions FC Barcelona's date with a Malaysian XI at the National Stadium on Aug 10 falling on the third day of Hari Raya. The much anticipated visit of the four-time European champions comes with expectations from fans who want a full star-studded line-up. "The summer will be a busy period with a lot of uncertainty with players moving away and coming in. "But yes, our plans are to bring our full team here," said FC Barcelona chief executive officer Antoni Rossich yesterday. Rossich was speaking at the announcement of the friendly match, which is part of the three-match FC Barcelona Asia Tour 2013, which sees the giants also visiting China and Thailand. Also pre...
2 comments
Read more