Giving his best: Mohd Azeem Fahmi (left) in action during the 200m semi-finals of the World Junior Championships in Cali. — AFP
PETALING JAYA: After breaking the national record for the 100m, the world seems to be at Mohd Azeem Fahmi’s feet. But for the 18-year-old, he is just getting off the blocks.
His 10.09 seconds record-breaking run in the World Junior Championships in Cali, Colombia, is just the start of his journey to his target – to be a world-class athlete.
But the journey remains a long one.
Azeem had hoped to qualify for a second final appearance in Cali but it ended in disappointment after he clocked 20.97 in the 200m semi-finals on Wednesday. His effort put him 15th place in a field of 24 sprinters.
Azeem did better in the heats when he won his race with a personal best of 20.83. It was just 0.06 seconds off the national 200m record of 20.77 set by Russel Alexander Nasir Taib in 2019.
“I am pretty satisfied with how I have performed in Colombia. I ended my campaign with two personal bests and one national record. To me, that’s really meaningful,” he said.
“There’s no reason to be disappointed because I did my best in my first World Junior Championships. I am grateful for the experience.
“I have learnt a lot and know what’s needed to compete on the world stage. Next up is the Malaysia Games (Sukma) and I am eager to break that sub-10s barrier soon.
“I also know there is room to grow, and I hope I can do so when I study abroad soon.”
Azeem’s coach, Mohd Amir Izwan Tan Abdullah, was also a happy man.
“He is one of the best sprinters in Malaysia at the moment, if not the best. I am happy he has decided to head abroad to further his studies and career,” said Amir, who is a coach in SMK Gunung Rapat.
“As for me, I know what’s my next task. I will look for new talent just like Azeem. I will continue doing that for Perak and Malaysia.”
Azeem, meanwhile, is set to head to the United States to further his studies in Sports Science, most likely in the University of Houston.
Nine-time Olympics gold medallist Carl Lewis coaches the university’s athletics team, known as the Coogs.
“I want to continue my studies and train at the same time,” said Azeem.
“I want to equip myself with more knowledge. Sports science can help me understand my body better.
“At the same time, I hope to get faster too. I believe the university I am headed to can help me with that.”
When you have one of the greatest Olympians of all time as head coach, you can only think of getting faster.
