Malaysian track sprinter discharged after splinter surgery

The Malaysian track cyclist who was speared through the leg by a nine-inch wooden spike at last weekend's World Cup is on the mend after a successful operation, local media reported on Tuesday.

Despite colliding with fellow cyclists and being injured by the splinter in the closing stages of the International Cycling Union (UCI) World Cup in Manchester, England, Azizulhasni Awang clambered back onto his bike to finish third.

Azizul had the wood surgically removed from his leg and has been ordered to rest for two weeks, reported the New Straits Times.  

"Operation done. Splinter taken out cleanly," he wrote on his personal Twitter account. "Alhamdulillah. Thanks for the prayer and support."   

His coach has pulled him out of the World Championships to be held in the Netherlands next month and will concentrate on preparing for the Olympics instead.

"He'll be right for the Olympics," coach John Beasly told the Star newspaper.                                           

Azizul was discharged from hospital on Monday and boarded the flight with his teammates back to his base in Melbourne.

Splinter injuries are not uncommon in track cycling. In 1996 Britain's Olympic gold medallist Jason Queally was pierced in the torso after a crash in Edinburgh.