Pocket Rocketman takes centre stage today as Malaysia hunts more Asian Games gold

Today, attention shifts to the track cycling individual sprint event at the Izu Velodrome, which will see Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang aka The Pocket Rocketman make an appearance after sitting out the previous edition in Hangzhou 2022, on a mission to hunt for the gold medal. — Bernama pic

First Published: Wednesday, 30 Sep 2026 9:27 AM MYT

NAGOYA, Sept 30 — The Malaysian contingent wrapped up yesterday’s competition without adding any gold medals at the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, meaning efforts to boost the nation’s gold medal tally will continue tomorrow as the remaining events kick off, including track cycling with the Pocket Rocketman leading the charge.

The national sepak takraw squad failed to add another gold after settling for a silver medal in the regu event, concluding their campaign at the games with one gold and one silver from the events contested throughout the multi-sport meet.

However, that setback did not detract from the squad’s major achievement earlier of ending the country’s 36-year wait to reclaim the gold medal in the Asian Games team regu event.

Unlike sepak takraw, the national athletics camp had to wrap up its Aichi-Nagoya campaign without bringing home any medals after the country’s final representatives failed to secure a podium finish.

Among those who stole attention today was Grace Wong Xiu Mei, who recorded 64.15 meters in the women’s hammer throw final — her season best mark — though she finished seventh overall.

That performance provides a positive development for Grace after going through an injury recovery period, while also injecting motivation to chase national records and gold at next year’s SEA Games.

Malaysia had previously achieved its original target of six gold medals through the successes of several primary medal prospects, including Ng Eain Yow and S. Sivasangari, who defended their squash singles titles.

With several days of competition remaining, the contingent’s focus now shifts to final opportunities to add to the gold collection and challenge the country’s best-ever achievement of nine gold medals in a single Asian Games edition.

Today, attention shifts to the track cycling individual sprint event at the Izu Velodrome, which will see Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang aka The Pocket Rocketman make an appearance after sitting out the previous edition in Hangzhou 2022, on a mission to hunt for the gold medal.

The sprint event will also feature Muhammad Shah Firdaus Sahrom, making track cycling one of the primary medal hopes for the national contingent to continue efforts to increase Malaysia’s medal collection. — Bernama