KUALA LUMPUR: National track cycling head coach John Beasley is confident his charge Azizulhasni Awang has the mental fortitude to battle through the pain barrier at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
Azizulhasni suffered a high speed crash during a training session at the National Velodrome in Nilai yesterday. The 35-year-old disclosed that the crash was caused by a mechanical failure.
He avoided serious injuries but sustained heavy bruising and friction wounds from the crash.
Beasley is, however, maintaining a positive outlook on the situation.
"He is as well as we can expect after a high speed crash. There is a lot of swelling and missing skin," said Beasley today.
"We will give him the best possible care and take things one day at a time in the hope that he will recover in time (for Asian Games).
"Will it affect his performance at the games? Of course it will.
"But to what extent, we will have to wait and see. Pulling on the race suit will be a challenge (due to friction wounds).
"He is, however, a very strong, fit and tough young man.
"If a splinter through the leg could not stop him from crossing the line a few years ago, I doubt this (crash injuries) will.
"It will just be another challenge for him. He has an incredibly tough mindset and we are all doing what we can to assist him in every way."
Beasley expressed his gratitude to Datuk Seri Dr Jeffrey Jeswant Dillon and Datuk Dr Ramlan Abdul Aziz for providing their assistance to Azizulhasni after-hours yesterday.
Azizulhasni said he was relieved to have escaped serious injury.
"I feel grateful that this accident was not any worse. It could have led to a severe injury," said Azizulhasni on social media yesterday.
The Olympic silver medalist suffered a heavy crash during the 2011 Manchester leg of the World Cup which caused an nine inch splinter to pierce through his calve.
He famously remounted his bike and crossed the finish line with the splinter in his leg.
Azizulhasni and teammate Shah Firdaus Sahrom will be competing in the men's individual sprint and keirin events at the Asian Games.
The Dungun-born rider has just over a week to recover in time for his first race as the individual sprint event will begin on Sept 27.