Speedster Azeem Fahmi is on the cusp of making history as the first Malaysian to sprint the 100m in under 10 seconds, according to Tan Sri Dr M. Jegathesan, Asia’s former fastest man. This declaration followed Azeem’s bronze-medal run in the 100m final at the Hangzhou Olympic Centre Stadium on Saturday.
Nineteen-year-old Azeem, who holds the national record at 10.09 seconds, clocked 10.11 to secure third place in the men’s 100m final. China’s Xie Zhenye blazed through with a remarkable 9.97, clinching the top spot, while Thailand’s Puripol Boonson took second place with 10.02.
Azeem’s achievement marked the end of Malaysia’s 41-year medal drought in the highly coveted century sprint since Rabuan Pit’s gold-winning 10.68 run in 1982 in New Delhi.
Jegathesan, famously known as the “Flying Doc” and a three-time gold medalist in the 1966 Asian Games (100m, 200m, and 4x100m), congratulated Azeem, stating, “Azeem’s achievement makes him the third fastest man in Asia. With his youth and talent, he has a promising future. He has six to seven years to reach his peak, and I believe he can become the first Malaysian to dip below 10 seconds.”
Jegathesan, now 79, emphasized that Azeem needs to focus on building his muscles, strength, and speed to further improve his times. Azeem’s next goal is to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics, requiring him to sprint the 100m in 10 seconds flat.
