Azizulhasni clinches bronze at world meet, Josiah announces retirement

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KUALA LUMPUR: National track cyclist Mohd Azizulhasni Awang won the bronze medal in the men’s elite keirin category at the 2015 UCI Track Cycling World Championship at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome in Paris on Thursday.

The 27-year-old Malaysian ace was beaten to the finish line by defending champion Francois Pervis of France and Edward Dawkins of New Zealand who picked up the gold and silver respectively.

Mohd Azizulhasni had won Heat 3 to qualify for the semi-finals and even though he was beaten by the same duo in Heat 2 in the semifinals, got to realise his dream of competing in the finals.

However, it was not the same story for another Malaysian rider, Josiah Ng, who failed to be among the top finishers in the qualifying and repechage rounds.

Josiah was in 21st place overall together with Francesco Ceci (Italy), Kazunari Watanabe (Japan) and Matthew Baranoski (United States).

“What an amazing day for our team. My teammate Azizul rode like a gladiator today and ended up winning a bronze medal. I’m so proud of him and am honoured to be his teammate and friend,” Josiah said on his Facebook account.

In the posting, Josiah also announced that the the 2015 UCI Track Cycling World Championship was his last outing that that he was retiring from the sport.

“As for myself, I ended my career with front row seats of some great action in the keirin. My result today might have not had a fairy tail ending but I savoured this last moment of my career with my head held high.

“I’ve had many chances to shine and now it’s time for other Malaysians to keep doing us proud. Thank you to so many of you for supporting us all these years! It’s been an honour to have represented Malaysia for the past 15 years! I’m now officially a has been! Retired,” he said. -Bernama