KUALA LUMPUR – The nation’s hope for a gold medal at the Paris Olympics now rests on the shoulders of Shah Firdaus Sahrom.
This follows a tragic turn of events late last night when Malaysia’s track cycling sensation, Datuk Azizulhasni Awang, was disqualified from the men’s keirin event, held at Saint Quentin en Yvelines National Velodrome, for a technical infringement.
Despite this setback, Shah Firdaus provided a glimmer of hope by advancing to the quarter-finals after securing first place in one of the four repechage heats.
Earlier, Shah Firdaus had been given a warning and relegated in the first round but was allowed to compete in the repechages, which he won in style, finishing ahead of Canada’s Nick Wammes and China’s Liu Qi.
Only the top two riders from the repechages advance to the quarter-finals, joining the top two finishers from each of the first-round heats.
Meanwhile, national cycling technical director John Beasley admitted that sports can be cruel.
Like all true Malaysian sports fans, he is devastated that Azizul’s final Olympics ended in such a manner.
“We’re gutted,” Beasley remarked, noting that he strongly believed Azizul was in the form of his life.
Azizul, affectionately known as the “Pocket Rocketman,” was disqualified for overtaking the derny (motorbike) before it had exited the track.
Despite lodging an appeal, Beasley informed the Olympic Council of Malaysia (OCM) and the local press: “We made a mistake, it’s our fault, and we can’t take it back.
“It hasn’t quite sunk in yet, and he’s still in a state of disbelief and shock.
“I gave him some space and quietly shared a few words with him.
“We’re all devastated for him. He’s been incredibly successful, and for this to be his last Olympics and for it to end like this – it’s just not right.
“But we have to accept it, it’s happened, and we need to deal with it.
“We’ve had tremendous support and had everything we need. We have to process this, but we must keep moving forward. We can’t dwell on the past.”
Azizul, who hails from Dungun, Terengganu, has dedicated 17 years of his life to the sport.
He won his first World Championship medal in 2009, with his first Olympic medal – a bronze – coming at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
Azizul then made history by becoming the first Malaysian to wear the coveted rainbow jersey after clinching the keirin gold at the 2017 World Championships.
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Azizul won silver in the keirin event. – August 11, 2024
