KUALA LUMPUR – Surreal and beyond grateful – that is how national sprinter Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi felt after ending Malaysia’s 41-year medal drought in the Asian Games’ men’s 100m event.
“Surreal, my first individual medal ever,” he shared in an Instagram story after bagging the bronze medal last night in Hangzhou, China.
Separately, in an Instagram post, he also said it had been a challenging journey so far, and he is looking forward to qualifying for the Paris Olympics next year.
“No words. I’m beyond grateful for this bronze medal. The journey was damn challenging but we trust with Allah’s plan. After 41 years, I finally brought back Malaysia on the list in Asia. This is only the beginning, more to come and looking forward to qualify for Olympics 2024. Bismillah. (sic)”
He also thanked his supporters, especially his parents, and those who prayed for him so far as he did not expect a podium finish in the tough race.
“To be honest, I didn’t expect myself to be on the podium tonight because I knew it was going to be a very tough race. All the finalists ran below 10.20s, this is actually one of the fastest races in the Asian Games because everyone qualified for the finals with their personal and season bests.
“The medal tonight means a lot to me, even though it’s a bronze… I dedicate it to my parents (Mohd Fahmi Tajuid and Norazah Ibrahim), to whom I promised I’d try my best to deliver a medal because this is my last competition for this year.
“Alhamdulillah, I managed to keep my promise. It’s the best possible end for this season,” he was quoted as saying by Bernama after the race yesterday.
Nineteen-year-old Azeem, who clocked 10.11s, came remarkably close to breaking the national 100m outdoor record of 10.09s, which he had set himself.
Previously, Datuk Rabuan Pit won gold in the same event in 1982, while Tan Sri Dr Mani Jegathesan won gold and silver in 1966 and 1962, respectively. Mani also bagged the gold medal for 200m in the 1962 and 1966 Asian Games.
Also, Shereen Samson Vallabouy bagged bronze in the women’s 400m event, clocking 52.58s, which ended the nation’s 17-year Asian Games medal wait in the category. She holds the women’s national 400m record of 51.80s.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim congratulated Azeem on his win, saying that he repeatedly watched a video clip of the race as the national sprinter outdid himself to bag a podium finish. – October 1, 2023