# Awang: I hope comeback will inspire the people of Malaysia

*By Simon | April 20, 2025*

---

![Go8U6jEakAAv4u2](https://globalkeirin.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/04/Go8U6jEakAAv4u2.jpg)

## 󠀁[Awang: I hope comeback will inspire the people of Malaysia](https://globalkeirin.com/2025/04/awang-i-hope-my-comeback-will-inspire-the-people-of-malaysia/)󠁿

20 April 2025

Keirin legend
[Azizulhasni Awang](https://globalkeirin.com/rider/azizulhasni-awang/) posted a
[statement](https://x.com/AzizulAWANG/status/1913771370535870969) on X/Twitter
following
[Saturday’s press conference](https://globalkeirin.com/2025/04/awang-quits-malaysian-national-squad-but-will-ride-on/)
, at which he announced his intention to keep riding, but outside the Malaysian
team structure.

The 37-year-old Pocket Rocketman admitted that he too had felt the Paris
Olympics might be the end of his career; but having taken time to reflect, he
had made the decision to continue, in the hope that it will inspire his fellow
Malaysians.

I would like to reflect on my career journey with the Malaysian team which began
as early as 2004. Until my most recent appearance at the Paris Olympics, my
involvement with the national team has spanned more than 20 years.

In those 20 years of service to the national team, there have been many
achievements, ups and downs, sweet and bitter memories that I have experienced.
This includes a very significant incident not only in Malaysia but also globally
– the wood splinter injury to my leg in Manchester and also my heart surgery in
April 2022.

I have faced many challenges and obstacles, but none have broken my fighting
spirit. That’s why I’m known worldwide as someone with mental strength on a
different level. #winningmentality

After what happened in Paris, many thought it was the end of my career. Indeed,
I won’t deny that I too felt it might be the end. But I took a more proactive
and mature step, not rushing and instead taking time to think about my next
move.

Every day when I wake up, I constantly ask myself what I want to do. Admittedly,
even after months away from cycling, my physical and mental self always returns
to the beginning. I wake up just as I always have. Every time I rise in the
morning, my physical and mental self craves hard training and the challenges
that I have faced and endured over the past 20 years.

After discussing with many parties, seeking suggestions, advice, and critiques,
I finally made the decision to return to competitive cycling.

However, this journey will be different from before. I will not be with the
national team, as I have chosen to move independently in a professional
capacity. During discussions with MSN, I expressed the hope that KBS, MSN, PKBM,
and ISN will focus fully (especially in terms of allocation) on new and upcoming
athletes like Shah, Ridwan, Izzah, and others for the continuation of
performance development.

I will be moving independently with the support and backing of sponsors who have
always stood firmly behind me. A thousand thanks to sponsors such as CIMB,
Gardenia, 100Plus, Oligo, SwissWatch Valiram, Daikin, and others.

This is a new beginning. A new beginning not only for me but also for my
teammates, young athletes, and all of Malaysia’s sports community.

My current presence is to continue sharing all experiences, knowledge, and
learning because I believe I have the blueprint to become a world-class athlete.

In life, not everyone becomes a champion in everything. What’s important is
never to give up, never stop learning, never stop trying, and never, ever stop
fighting.

I hope this comeback will inspire other athletes out there and also the people
of Malaysia to keep chasing their dreams and ambitions in their everyday lives.

_(Text extraction & translation by ChatGPT)_

**Categories:** Original