Azeem and Co sprint to another strong showing in NCAA

Amazing start Mohd Azeem Fahmi shatters 60m national record again after two years.

PETALING JAYA: National sprinter Mohd Azeem Fahmi (pic) and his Auburn University teammates have once again proven they are a force to be reckoned with in collegiate sprinting after storming into the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division One 4x100m relay final in record-equalling fashion.

Running in the third heat of the semi-finals at the Hayward Field, University of Oregon, Auburn blazed to a time of 37.97s, matching the championship meet record they had set last year - a mark that remains the third-fastest in NCAA history.

The electric quartet comprised Azeem on the opening leg, followed by Kayinsola Ajayi, Dario Matau, and Makanakaishe Charamba, each delivering precise baton exchanges and explosive pace to book their ticket to the final in style.

A focused Azeem summarised the mission ahead with a simple message: “Job not finished.”

In the overall standings across all three semi-final heats, Auburn finished as the fastest qualifiers. South Florida were second with 38.12s, while Louisiana State University (LSU) clocked 38.14s to place third.

Minnesota (38.16s), Tennessee (38.47s), Arkansas (38.51s), Kentucky (38.60s), Texas (38.70s), and the University of Southern California (38.71s) also secured their places in the final.

As the defending champions from 2024, the Auburn Tigers will now aim to deliver once more on the biggest stage of American collegiate athletics today.