Azeem keeps eyes on Asian Games prize amid tough field

KUALA LUMPUR: Azeem Fahmi, the Perak-born athlete, will face tough competition from top Asian sprinters in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Despite this, he remains confident of securing a podium finish. Azeem, who previously won bronze at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games with a time of 10.11 seconds, aims to improve upon his personal best of 10.09 seconds.

He faces stiff competition from sprinters such as Puripol Boonson of Thailand with a personal best of 9.94 seconds, Kiryu Yoshihide of Japan with a season best of 10.03 seconds, and Ali Al Balushi of Oman with a season best of 10.07 seconds. Chinese sprinters like Deng Xinrui and Xie Zhenye also pose a threat to Azeem's medal aspirations.

Azeem is optimistic about his body's condition and hopes to record a time that will give him a positive aura ahead of the Asian Games. He reiterated his goal to bring home a medal, preferably gold or silver, from this year's Asian Games. The best times this season for all sprinters in Asia are in the same under 10.10-second range, which Azeem sees as a challenge but also an opportunity.

He expressed confidence heading into the Asian Games and believes he can break his national record. National coach Manshahar Abdul Jalil shared this optimism, saying he believes Azeem can run below 10 seconds in the Asian Games.