National cycling icon Azizulhasni Awang has added another remarkable achievement to his storied career after being conferred the prestigious Darjah Bakti by Sultan Ibrahim.
The honour was presented during the 2026 Investiture Ceremony held in conjunction with the King’s official birthday celebrations at Istana Negara.
With the conferment, Azizulhasni becomes only the third Malaysian athlete to receive the highly exclusive federal award, joining badminton legend Lee Chong Wei and squash queen Nicol David, who were honoured in 2021 and 2024 respectively.
The Darjah Bakti recognises individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the nation and international community. Widely regarded as one of Malaysia’s highest federal honours, the award is limited to just 10 living recipients at any one time and does not carry a title.
The recognition reflects Azizulhasni’s extraordinary dedication to Malaysian sport and his role in elevating the country’s profile on the global sporting stage through his achievements in track cycling.
Affectionately known as the “Pocket Rocketman”, the 38-year-old cyclist from Dungun has represented Malaysia with distinction for more than two decades and is considered one of the nation’s greatest sporting icons.
Azizulhasni made history in 2017 when he captured the keirin gold medal at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Hong Kong, becoming the first Malaysian cyclist to win a world championship title.
His international success also includes a silver medal in the keirin event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, cementing his status as one of Malaysia’s most successful Olympians.
Beyond the Olympic stage, Azizulhasni has amassed an impressive collection of medals at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and numerous elite international competitions.
Despite nearing four decades of age, the veteran cyclist continues to compete at the highest level. Most recently, he secured one silver and two bronze medals at the Japan Track Cup Series in Shizuoka in May, proving that he remains a formidable force in world track cycling.
The latest honour serves as recognition not only of Azizulhasni’s medal-winning achievements but also of his lasting impact on Malaysian sport and his role in inspiring future generations of athletes.
