Azizulhasni Awang wins men’s keirin at Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Glasgow, Commonwealth Games 2026; ends 16-year gold drought
Commonwealth Games 2026: Malaysia’s Azizulhasni Awang excises Delhi 2010 relegation demons with men’s keirin gold - “I’m the best tactician in the world”
Commonwealth Games 2026: Malaysia’s Azizulhasni Awang excises Delhi 2010 relegation demons with men’s keirin gold - “I’m the best tactician in the world”
After crossing the finish line first and being relegated 16 years ago at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, Malaysia’s track cycling star finally earned the gold medal that eluded him all these years at Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome on Friday, 31 July.
Azizulhasni Awang was on cloud nine after winning the men’s keirin at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, then came a verdict from the race commissionaires. He’d been relegated from the final and stripped of the track cycling gold that was destined to hang around his neck.
What followed was 16 years of “almosts,” “not quites” and disappointment. Yes, he had bronze in the team sprint from Dehli 2010, and another bronze in the keirin from Glasgow 2014, but there was no gold in his treasure chest. He was a heavyweight without a title.
He’d won the keirin world title in 2017 and claimed two medals (silver and bronze) at the Olympic Games in his career, but nothing haunted him like the title that got away. It was his white whale to claim, and nobody could stop him at the 2026 Commonwealth Games .
Advancing through the first and second rounds without much fanfare at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, the now 38-year-old track cyclist lay in wait like a grizzled hunter stalking his prey, pouncing at the most opportune moment in the final.
“I was probably the rider with the lowest power output compared to everyone else, but the keirin is so special because it’s all about tactics,” he told reporters after the final. “ Today, I showed to the world that I’m the best tactician in the keirin .”
Having drawn fourth position in the final, he spent the first few laps marking reigning champion Nicholas Paul , before slotting into second position behind Australian silver medallist Leigh Hoffman , passing him on the final lap to take the gold he’d been denied all these years.
“I focused on my tactics, stayed really patient with my positioning, and made my acceleration at the right time and at the right moment,” he explained, adding, “It’s unbelievable. This is my last Commonwealth Games, and to finish with a gold medal - I couldn’t ask for anything more!”
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Gold medallist Azizulhasni Awang (MAS) is carried by silver and bronze medal winners at the Commonwealth Games Glasgow 2026.
A champion’s career and the gold that completed it
Awarded the Order of Merit , inducted into the Most Distinguished Order of the Crown of Terengganu and made a Defender of the Realm in Malaysia, Awang has enjoyed a truly fulfilling career as one of the country’s most high profile athletes.
The Australian-based cyclist was full of emotion after claiming his first keirin title at the Commonwealth Games, popping a wheelie on the finish line and embracing his support staff in tears on the apron of the velodrome.
“I was really really emotional after the race,” he said, still holding back tears in the mixed zone. “[I was] not in my best form…but I take it one step at a time. I believe in myself, I believe in my ability.”
While he’s not been the most dominant throughout his career, he has always put forth his best effort, and refused to back down from a challenge, especially when it came to racing riders from powerhouse nations with more resources and specialised training.
“It was really small a long time ago,” he said of the Malaysian cycling team. “It wasn’t very well known. But after we started winning major competitions - World Cups, World Championships and an Olympic medal - it became much bigger.”
He hoped his most recent coup d’etat would help grow the programme even more.
“I hope this victory will help bring more sponsorship and more funding to cycling because we’ve proven that we’re one of the best in the world,” he added.
“ Track cycling is one of the toughest sports at the Commonwealth Games, and I’ve shown that at 38-years-old I can still win and still perform at the highest level .”
Azizul Awang didn’t have the typical physique of a track cyclist, but winning an Olympic bronze medal at Rio 2016 altered that bias.
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Recalling Frank Sinatra’s famous refrain, “I did it my way,” Awang expressed his disbelief at winning gold in the twilight of his cycling career.
“I told myself that at my last Commonwealth Games I at least wanted to finish on the podium,” he affirmed. “I wanted to give myself a special gift. But today has been unbelievable.
“I finished with a great race, and everyone has been telling me they enjoyed it. It was a great moment, a great night, and I think this is one of the best moments of my life.”
Having floated the possibility of retirement after the Commonwealth Games, he’s yet to provide a definitive answer on if he’ll seek to qualify and compete at the Olympic Games LA 2028 .
That said, if he’s on the start line, it’d be foolish to count out the “Pocket Rocketman.”
By Matt Nelsen Jo Gunston
ZUMA Press Wire via Reuters
23 July - 2 August
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