KUALA LUMPUR – National sprinter Muhammad Azeem Fahmi has dismissed concerns that returning to Malaysia to pursue a master’s degree will slow his progress on the track, insisting his priority remains delivering results at the highest level.
The 22-year-old national 100m record holder recently graduated with a Sports Science degree from Auburn University in the United States before rejoining the national training camp.
After a short break, Azeem is expected to begin his postgraduate studies at Universiti Malaya next year while continuing his preparations for major international competitions.
Speaking to Scoop, Azeem said strong performances, rather than reputation, would determine the opportunities that come his way.
“I know the opportunities will come as long as I continue to perform at my best. That’s why my focus is on producing results rather than simply talking about them.
“For me, the most important thing is consistency. If I can keep improving my times and compete well against strong opponents, people will notice that. Opportunities to race overseas, compete in high-quality championships and gain valuable experience will naturally follow.
“I don’t want to rely on reputation alone. I want every opportunity I receive to be earned through my performances on the track,” he said.
Azeem said his decision to return home after five years in the United States was driven by a desire to give back to Malaysian athletics while spending more time with his family.
“The biggest reason I came back is to give something back to the community. I also want to make up for the time I missed with my family.
“Five years in the US is a long time, and during that period I missed many important family occasions. There were celebrations, gatherings and moments that I could only watch from afar.
“My family has always supported me throughout my journey, so coming home is also a way of showing my appreciation for their sacrifices. They remain my biggest source of motivation every time I step onto the track,” he said.
The Perak-born sprinter also hopes his return will inspire the national sprint squad to raise its standards.
“By returning to Malaysia, I hope I can inspire the national team because I believe I am in good enough shape to achieve something special on the international stage.
“I want the younger sprinters and my teammates to see that it is possible for Malaysian athletes to compete at a higher level if we push ourselves and maintain the right mentality.
“I’m excited to train and compete alongside the other athletes here because we can learn from one another and raise the overall standard of Malaysian sprinting together,” he added.
With his homecoming complete, Azeem is now fully focused on the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in September, where he hopes to deliver a breakthrough performance for Malaysia. – July 15, 2026