Asian Games 2023: Malaysia’s track cycling star Azizulhasni Awang withdraws following training crash
The two-time Olympic medallist in keirin injured his hip and sustained bruises after crashing at 95 kilometres per hour while training at the National Velodrome in Nilai, Malaysia.
Cycling Track 
Track cyclist Azizulhasni Awang will not be competing at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou, People's Republic of China.
During a press conference held in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday (20 September), the 35-year-old confirmed that he will not be able to recover in time from the injuries he suffered in a high-speed training crash on Friday last week.
"My speed was about 95 kilometres per hour when the crash happened and I skidded (on the track) for more than 20 metres before stopping," Awang said according to the New Straits Times. "Most of the wounds are on the left side of my body, especially my left arm and hip, because that is the side which impacted first.”
“The X-ray showed that there were no fractures. However, the ultrasound scan showed that there was soft tissue damage. In the days after the crash, I tried doing very light sessions on the track to see how I felt. But after four or five days there was still a very sharp pain in my left hip which did not reduce.”
After consulting with his coach John Beasley and the medical team, it was highlighted that participating in the Asian Games posed a risk of exacerbating the injury.
"We decided that the main focus is next year's Paris (2024) Olympics and made a collective decision to withdraw from the Asian Games. I would like to apologise to the contingent as well as the people of Malaysia.”
“Ultimately, I am the one who is most sad and disappointed because it was meant to be my last appearance at the Asian Games. The focus now is on recovering as soon as possible and continue to prepare for Paris," the 2017 keirin world champion explained.
Awang claimed a bronze medal in keirin at the Olympic Games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, and he took a silver medal at Tokyo 2020, always in the same discipline. Throughout his career, the Malaysian rider has won two gold medals at the Asian Games.