From Ahmad Nazrin Syahmi Mohamad Arif
GLASGOW, Scotland: The national contingent continued to harvest gleaming medals at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games as national track cycling star, Datuk Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, presented Malaysia’s seventh gold medal after dominating the men’s keirin final today.
The success at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome became the pinnacle of the country’s action today, simultaneously witnessing Azizulhasni claim his first gold medal on the Commonwealth Games stage during his final appearance at the multi-sport games.
The 38-year-old Terengganu-born rider displayed experience and tactical wisdom to overcome challengers who held the advantage in terms of pedaling power before celebrating an emotional victory right after crossing the finish line.
The gold also equals the achievement of seven golds won by Malaysia at the Birmingham 2022 edition, even though Glasgow 2026 features a reduced competition programme and lacks several traditional sports that contribute medals for the country, such as badminton, diving, squash, and rhythmic gymnastics.
Prior to that, national women’s track cycling rider, Nurul Izzah Izzati Mohd Asri, making her second appearance, nearly presented another medal in the women’s sprint event, but had to settle for fourth place after losing 0-2 to Welsh rider, Rhian Edmunds, in the bronze playoff.
Meanwhile, the national weightlifting camp closed out its challenge as the contingent’s biggest medal contributor after capturing five gold, one silver, and one bronze throughout the competition at the Scottish Event Campus Armadillo.
That excellence also gained recognition when the Malaysian Weightlifting Federation (MWF) was awarded the Trafalgar Trophy for the first time in history after the national men’s weightlifting squad emerged as the best men’s weightlifting team at this Games.
The country’s five golds were contributed by Mohamad Aniq Kasdan, Muhamad Aznil Bidin, Muhammad Erry Hidayat, Muhammad Hafizuddin Roslin, and Mohamad Syahmi Nor Ghazali.
Two more national golds were contributed by para long jump star, Datuk Abdul Latif Romly, in the men’s T20 event and Azizulhasni through the men’s keirin.
Three silvers were won by Izzat Shameer Dzulkeple in the men’s lawn bowls singles event, the partnership of Aleena Ahmad Nawawi and Syafiqa Haidar Afif Abdul Rahman in the women’s pairs, as well as Siti Aqilah.
The country’s three bronzes so far came through Bonnie Bunyau Gustin in para powerlifting, Irene in weightlifting, and Eljoe Gotuoh in the men’s T20 long jump.
Today’s success saw Malaysia collect seven gold, three silver, and three bronze medals, thereby continuing to surpass the initial 5-2-4 target set before the games began.
Chances to increase the medal tally remain open through several remaining events, including the men’s sprint and 1,000m time trial to be joined by Azizulhasni, as well as other competitions in track cycling.
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games is scheduled to draw to a close tomorrow (Sunday, August 2).
Australia continued to excel at the top of the medal standings with 55 gold, 30 silver, and 43 bronze, while England is second (17-34-29) and Canada is third (17-15-21), with Malaysia in eighth position. – BERNAMA
