NAKHON RATCHASIMA: Azizulhasni Awang wrote himself into the history books as Asia's most successful sprinter when he bagged his ninth gold medal in the keirin at the Asian Championships in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand today.
He is also the first rider to be crowned Asian keirin champion three times, a coveted record in the indigenous Asian discipline. He has previously won the title in 2007 and 2008.
The pint-sized 26-year old from Dungun was previously tied with Japan's Kitatsuru Tsubasa on four gold medals each, and after breezing through the opening rounds, which saw veteran Josiah Ng ousted in the second round, Azizul became Malaysia's sole hope in the final.
Earlier, Fatehah Mustapa won the 500m time trial silver medal in 35.664s, setting a new national outdoor record.
The 25-year old lost out to long-time rival Lee Wai Sze of Hong Kong, who won the gold medal after clocking 35.071s.
Malaysia, however, lost its grip on the men's junior keirin gold medal, dominated by Mohd Firdaus Mohd Zonis in the previous three years, after Shariz Effendi Shahrin only managed the bronze, while Khairil Nizam Rasol finished sixth in the final.