The 34-year-old, who is known as the “Pocket Rocketman”, is Malaysia’s gold medal hope at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Azizulhasni said he underwent the three-hour corrective surgery on April 21 for the condition, which carries the risk of cardiac arrest and sudden death if not treated immediately.

He will continue to recover in Melbourne and is likely to return to training only next year, if all goes well.

This means the two-time Olympics medallist will miss this year’s Birmingham Commonwealth Games and Hangzhou Asian Games, but is determined to compete at the Paris Olympics.

“The medical team advised me to do the surgery as soon as possible because it’s a life-threatening situation.

“My blood vessels are clogged, allowing only 20% of the flow, which is very minimal. It is dangerous if I do a high-intensity workout.

“Even if I retire from the sport, I must still do the surgery as soon as possible as my condition will only get worse as I get older.

“As we get older, our heart muscles will thicken, further reducing the blood flow,” he said during a virtual press conference from Melbourne today.