KUALA LUMPUR, March 28 — National elite track cyclists Mohd Azizulhasni Awang and Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom continued to prove their mettle Down Under, after once again achieving podium finishes at the Australian National Track Championships, yesterday.
Melbourne-based former world champion Mohd Azizulhasni, 33, bagged the silver medal in the elite men’s sprint event, while teammate Muhammad Shah Firdaus, 25, took the bronze at the Anna Meares Velodrome in Brisbane.
Known as ‘The Pocket Rocketman’, Mohd Azizulhasni lost to 22-year-old Australian Matthew Richardson in the finals, according to the results.auscycling.org.au.
“I gave my very best in the final for gold, however, Richardson was the better rider. It was a good hit out as I prepare for the Tokyo Olympics. I will be back in keirin tomorrow (March 28),” Mohd Azizulhasni, the keirin event defending champion posted on Facebook.
The Rio 2016 Olympics bronze medallist in the keirin event earlier ousted two other Australians Leigh Hoffman and Thomas Cornish in the quarterfinals and semifinals respectively.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Shah Firdaus who eliminated Nathan Hart in the quarterfinals was edged by Richardson in the last four stage.
In last’s year edition held in December, Mohd Azizulhasni and Muhammad Shah Firdaus had to settle for fourth and fifth places respectively in the sprint, but conquered the keirin event when Mohd Azizulhasni emerged champion, while Muhammad Shah Firdaus won the bronze.
They continued that momentum when they finished one-two in the Victoria Elite Track Championships’ sprint event, while Muhammad Shah Firdaus edged his senior in another one-two finish in the Victorian State Keirin Championship 2021, last month.
— Bernama
