His success at the National Velodrome earned him a record 12th gold medal at the ACC, as well as ending his eight-year wait to be crowned Asia’s keirin king, an honour he last achieved in the 2015 edition in Thailand.

Azizulhasni, known as ‘The Pocket Rocketman’, grabbed his 11th ACC gold on Friday after triumphing in the sprint event for the seventh time following his earlier victories in 2008, 2009, 2014, 2017, 2019 and 2020.

He also won both the sprint and keirin golds as well as the team sprint silver in the 2008 edition in Japan.

Today’s gold is his third in keirin (2008, 2015, 2023).

Meanwhile, Shah Firdaus Sahrom also deserved praise for continuing to race after an accident in the semifinals and bouncing back to take the keirin bronze.

The silver went to Shinji Nakano, the UCI Nations Cup champion, while defending champion Kohei Terasaki finished fourth.

Speaking to reporters after his win, Azizulhasni, who underwent open heart surgery in April last year, said that it had not been easy to repeat his ACC success due to increased competition.

“It wasn’t a good draw to be placed seventh in the final, yet I remained focused and continued to do my best amid stiff competition from the Japanese.

“When I entered the last lap, I immediately accelerated to the finish line to ensure I was the first to cross.

“This might be the last ACC for me … I hope to do even better at the World Championships in five weeks,” he said.