Monday February 1, 2010

Azizul vows marriage will not affect his performance

By LIM TEIK HUAT

PETALING JAYA: Cyclist Azizul Hasni Awang may have ended his bachelor days but he has vowed not to let it affect his performance on the track.

The recently-crowned World Cup keirin overall winner performed the akad nikah (marriage contract) ceremony with 24-year-old Athiah Ilyana Abdul Samat at the bride’s hometown in Ipoh last Saturday.

Special gift: Azizul and his wife Athiah Ilyana posing with the gold medal which he won in Beijing and presented to her as a weding gift. — Bernama

Azizul, who picked up a third gold medal at the final round of the World Cup in Beijing recently, is determined to strike a balance between married life and his commitments with the national track cycling squad.

“It’s two different things apart and I’m totally focussed on cycling when I get on the bike,” said Azizul, who rode to a stunning silver medal in the 200m sprint at the world championships in Poland last year.

“There are still things that I want to achieve, including winning an Olympic gold medal.”

For Azizul, life will remain much the same even though he has tied the knot with Athiah.

“We are both still studying in Melbourne and our time are basically tied up,” said the 22-year-old, who is pursuing a degree in Commerce and Business Studies at Deakin University in Melbourne.

“In fact, we just had a simple ceremony as I have to return to Melbourne soon to resume training with the team. We will have the actual reception after the Guangzhou Asian Games (in November).”

The Dungun-born Azizul presented his bride with a dowry of RM10,000, jewellery and the World Cup gold medal he won in Beijing.

“It was a gift for her as she asked me for it before I went to Beijing and I promised to try my best,” he said.

Azizul will return to Melbourne this weekend to prepare for the world championships, which will be held in Copenhagen from March 26-29. In the championships, he will wear the white leader’s jersey as the World Cup keirin overall winner.