KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak congratulated national cycling champion, Azizulhasni Awang who won first place in the world for the keirin event.
In his latest Twitter entry tonight, Najib hoped the victory achieved by Azizul would inspire him to become the champion in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in August.
“Congratulations Azizulhasni Awang for winning the world’s number one ranking. I hope it will give you the inspiration to grab the championship at the Rio Olympics!” he said.
The latest ranking issued by the International Cycling Union (UCI) placed Azizulhasni, 28, from third placing with 508 points to overtake Francois Pervis (504) from France to the second place while Edward Dawkins (New Zealand) was third with 494 points.
The achievement was the second for Azizulhasni after he made a similar achievement in 2010.
Azizulhasni, also known as ‘the Pocket Rocket Man’, replied the Twitter entry by Najib to thank the Prime Minister for his support.
“Thank yout Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak for the support. I will try my best. Hope to meet with Datuk Seri,” he said.
In the latest development, Azizul grabbed the bronze medal in the Asian Track and Para Cycling Championship in Japan last week and he is now preparing for the Track Cycling World Championships in London in March. --Bernama