Kuala lumpur: National sprint ace Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi has set his sights on returning from the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with a better achievement than the bronze medal he bagged at the previous edition in Hangzhou.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Muhammad Azeem, who holds the national 100-metre (m) record of 10.09 seconds (s), stated that his primary goal is to secure a podium finish and surpass his 2023 achievement in Hangzhou as he anticipates making his second Asiad appearance. Expressing his aspirations, Azeem remarked, 'For the Asian Games, I won the bronze medal in the previous edition (in Hangzhou). So, surely my target this time is the same, that is to get on the podium. But, insya-Allah, I will try my very best to get something better than bronze.'
Azeem shared these comments during a visit by Youth and Sports Minister Dr Mohammed Taufiq Johari and chef de mission Datuk Mohd Sumali Reduan to two training venues at the National Sports Council (NSC) in Bukit Jalil, where they met athletes preparing for the prestigious Asiad. He noted that his preparations for Asiad are progressing well, and he is in peak physical condition ahead of his participation in the Oman Grand Prix Athletics Championships in Muscat on Saturday (Sept 5).
The winner of the 100m at the 2026 Asian Under-23 Athletics Championships also aims to achieve an encouraging time in Oman to boost his confidence before the Sept 19-Oct 4 Asian Games. Commenting on the upcoming challenge in Japan, the 22-year-old sprinter anticipates a more open competition as several of Asia's leading contenders have recorded nearly identical times this season.
He identified Thailand's Puripol Boonson, Oman's Ali Anwar Ali Al-Balushi, and Japan's 2019 Asian champion Yoshihide Kiryu as the main competitors to watch out for at the Asian Games. 'Our best times this season are also in a similar range. So, I am quite confident heading into the Asian Games and, insya-Allah, I hope everything falls into place on race day for me to make Malaysia proud,' added Azeem.
Meanwhile, Malaysia Athletics (MA) Coaching Programme coordinator Mohd Manshahar Abd Jalil expressed confidence in Azeem's ability to achieve a sub-10-second time if he performs optimally in Japan. 'He himself is confident he can do it so, as a coach, I also have to believe that he is capable of reaching that level. If he can clock a sub-10s, it will be a huge bonus not only for Azeem, but also for the country. We are confident he can do it, and it will depend on his condition during race day.,' he stated.
For the record, Muhammad Azeem's best time this season stands at 10.09s, which he set at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championships in Kentucky, United States, in May.