Track cycling icon Datuk Azizulhasni Awang added a monumental milestone to his legendary career on Monday after being officially conferred the prestigious Darjah Bakti by His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.

The King presented the exclusive federal award to the cycling ace during the 2026 Investiture Ceremony at Istana Negara, held in conjunction with His Majesty’s official birthday celebration.

With this conferment, the 38-year-old etches his name deeper into the nation’s history books as only the third Malaysian athlete to ever receive the honour. The “Pocket Rocketman” joins an elite circle that includes badminton icon Datuk Lee Chong Wei (honoured in 2021) and squash legend Datuk Nicol Ann David (honoured in 2024).

The award recognizes Azizulhasni’s immense dedication, exceptional athletic achievements, and his enduring contributions to elevating the global profile of Malaysian track cycling.

An Elite and Exclusive Honour

Introduced on June 26, 1975, the Darjah Bakti stands as one of Malaysia’s highest federal honours. It is reserved strictly for individuals who have rendered exceptional service and made monumental contributions to the country and the international community across various specialized fields.

To preserve its prestige, the award is strictly limited to only 10 living recipients at any given time and does not carry an additional title.

Two Decades of Global Dominance

Born in Dungun, Terengganu, Azizulhasni is widely celebrated as one of Malaysia’s greatest sports figures, having represented the country with distinction for over two decades.

He first made global headlines in 2017 when he captured the historic keirin gold medal at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Hong Kong, becoming the first-ever Malaysian cyclist to claim a world title.

He solidified his status as one of Malaysia’s most successful Olympians by securing a bronze medal in the keirin event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, followed by an unforgettable silver medal performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Beyond his Olympic and World Championship exploits, he has accumulated a massive haul of medals at the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, and multiple major international meets.

Even at 38, the veteran speedster remains an elite force. Most recently in May, he captured one silver and two bronze medals at the Japan Track Cup Series in Shizuoka, proving he is far from finished on the global stage.

The Elite Trio: Athletes Conferred the Darjah Bakti