From tears to triumph in Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome
Azizulhasni Awang didn’t just win the keirin final in Glasgow—he exorcised ghosts. On the second-to-last bend, the 38-year-old Malaysian rider surged, held the lead, and crossed the line with his signature mini wheelie. The crowd erupted. So did he. As he circled the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, tears streaming down his face, Azizulhasni raised the Malaysian flag and soaked in the moment. Malaysia's national anthem played, only the second time it has in Commonwealth Games cycling history.
Past disqualifications and heart surgery
Azizulhasni had already been denied glory before. In 2010 in New Delhi, his rival Josiah Ng was promoted to gold after Azizulhasni was disqualified for dangerously sprinting between riders. Then, in 2022, he missed the Commonwealth Games entirely due to recovery from open heart surgery, correcting a birth defect in his coronary artery. The setbacks continued in 2024 when he was again disqualified for passing the motorized pacer at the Paris Olympics.
A legacy that defies age and adversity
Despite the trials, Azizulhasni kept moving forward. The 5-foot-6 'Pocket Rocketman' claimed the keirin title at the World Cup in Perth in March and at home in Nilai in April. He won the overall series. Malaysian officials now believe he should race on to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, a goal he had not planned. His coach, John Beasley, said Azizulhasni 'possesses an unwavering belief in himself' and that success at 40 is possible.