An emotional Azizulhasni Awang sobbed as he celebrated victory in the men’s keirin competition at the Commonwealth Games, putting in a decisive attack when it mattered to pass former world number one Leigh Hoffman to the delight of the Glasgow crowd.
The 38-year-old Pocket Rocketman has shown no sign of slowing down as he completes his supposed farewell tour: he has said he will retire after the Asian Games in late September.
The competition went largely to form through the early rounds, the only surprise being Nicholas Paul having to go through first-round repechage.
If anything, the most remarkable aspect of Awang’s progress was the lack of drama. He was second behind Daniel Barber in his first round ride – enough to qualify for the semis, where he finished second behind Tayte Ryan.
The line-up for the final featured three Australians – Hoffman, Barber and Ryan; Harry Ledingham-Horn; Nicholas Paul… and the one and only Awang.
The draw put Awang in the middle of the line, behind Paul, with Australians at the front and back. With any other rider, you’d be thinking that wasn’t a great place to find yourself; not with Awang. Somehow, you knew he would find a way out of any trouble.
Nicholas Paul made the first move, attacking from the back with Awang jumping immediately on his wheel. But Hoffman responded on the inside, leaving Paul stuck on the outside, with Awang in danger of being boxed in.
Paul drifted back to attack again: but that left the door open for Awang to make his move as they entered the back straight. He shot in front of Hoffman, but couldn’t get clear of the Aussie’s front wheel, leaving him riding a longer route to the finish.
But all the speed was in the Malaysian hero’s bike – he accelerated towards the finish line, and had time for a trademark wheelie as he claimed the gold medal. Hoffman held on for second, with a gap to Ledingham-Horn in third.
‘Win for Malaysia’
It was Awang’s first Commonwealth gold: he had previously done no better than bronze, including on the same track 12 years earlier.
‘For me as an elite athlete, it’s not enough,’ he told TNT Sports at track centre. ‘But I thought it’s already done for me. You know, I’m 38, I thought it’s over.
‘But when I made a comeback after the retirement from Paris, I took it one step at a time. Whatever reason or injury or anything, I don’t use as excuses for me not to perform the best. When I do my best, I can win for Malaysia.’
Awang’s life story is being made into a documentary, The Pulse. It was due for release in the third quarter of 2026. They are probably re-editing it as we speak.
