'Azizulhasni should consider coaching role' - Hamidin
'I believe Shah Firdaus and his brother Ridwan Sahrom are capable of filling the gap at the next Olympics'
SHAH ALAM - National track cyclist Datuk Azizulhasni Awang has announced his retirement following the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking the end of an illustrious career and opening the door to a new chapter as a coach.
Malaysian Chief Contingent to the Paris Olympics Datuk Hamidin Mohd Amin said Azizulhasni, affectionately known as "The Pocket Rocketman," possesses invaluable experience that could benefit the next generation of Malaysian track cyclists.
"At 36 years old, and with the next Olympics coming up when he'll be 40, it will be challenging for him to compete with younger riders.
"This might be the right time for him to transition into a coaching or advisory role, given his five Olympic appearances," Hamidin said upon his return from Paris at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on Tuesday.
On the void left by Azizulhasni’s departure from the national team, Hamidin expressed confidence in Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom's ability to step up and take on the responsibility of winning medals for Malaysia at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
"I believe Shah Firdaus and his brother Ridwan Sahrom are capable of filling the gap at the next Olympics," he added.
Azizulhasni had previously hinted at retirement, having promised his family that Paris 2024 would be his final Olympic Games, particularly after undergoing open-heart surgery in April 2022.
At the Paris Olympics, Azizulhasni faced disappointment when he was disqualified in the first round of the keirin event due to a pacing violation.
Throughout his career, he secured a bronze medal in the keirin at Rio 2016, a silver medal at Tokyo 2020, and a gold medal in the keirin at the 2017 World Championships.
