Malaysia obtain its first bronze medal at the Rio Olympics 2016 when Azizulhasni Awang was placed third in the Keirin cycling event.

This is the first ever medal won by the cycling team in the Olympics.

The final race had to be restarted twice, which could have hampered Azizulhasni's chances, where the Malaysian was favoured to win gold. Instead, first place went to Britain's Jason Kenny, while Matthijs Buchli of The Netherlands bagged the silver.

The keirin - a sport originating in Japan - is a thrilling cycling race where riders are initially paced up to speed behind a special motoped before launching their final attacks from top speed in the last 600 metres.

Youth and Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin Abu Bakar tweeted, “Budak Dungun Ganu diri atas podium dengan Mat Salleh2 tinggi Petronas tower. Only the size of your heart matters.”

(The Dungun, Terengganu lad stands on the podium with Europeans as tall as the Petronas Twin Towers. Only the size of your heart matters).

“Not yet Negaraku but still super proud. @AzizulAWANG rode a brave race. Malaysia gets a CYCLING medal!!!” Khairy added.

Malaysia has won two medals in Rio so far, with divers Cheong Jun Hoong and Pandelela Rinong earlier picking up a silver in the women's synchronised 10-metre platform.

Malaysia is expected to increase its medal tally later today, through badminton mixed doubles pair Chan Peng Soon/Goh Liu Ying, as they are in the finals where they will meet Indonesia's Tontowi Ahmad/Lillyana Natsir for the elusive gold at 11.30pm.

The country's mens doubles of pair Goh V Shem/Tan Wee Kiong are also through the finals in badminton where they will meet another Chinese pair, the world number four, Fu Haifeng-Zhang Nan, on Friday.

Last night V Shen and Wee Kiong won against China's Chai Biao/Hong Wei 21-18, 12-21, 21-17 in 64 minutes.