National track cycling coach John Beasley expects Azizulhasni Awang and Shah Firdaus Sahrom to start picking up the pace heading into the Tokyo Olympics. Beasley has always stressed the importance of “big blocks” of strength training as the foundation in his preparation, and it is no different for this Olympic cycle.

Spending hours in the gym, a switch to more track-focused training is likely in store for the duo over the final few months ahead of the Tokyo Games. Hopes to convert the muscle that they have built into explosive power on the bike.

Azizulhasni and Shah both won medals at the Australia National Championships in December and the Victoria Elite Track Championships last week, and more domestic competitions are likely in store for the Melbourne-based duo.

Azizulhasni is aiming to become the first Malaysian to win a gold medal at the Olympics this year.