PETALING JAYA: National sprinter Mohd Azeem Fahmi showed no signs of jet lag just four days after returning from the United States.
The 22-year-old instead proved he remains the fastest man in the country after clocking 10.21s to win the men’s 100m final in the Malaysian Open at the Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Stadium in Serdang on Friday (June 19).
Johor’s Ariel Iskandar was second with a time of 10.34s, while Terengganu’s Armin Zahryl Abdul Latif, also a hurdler, won bronze, clocking 10.44s
“It was nice to see a decent crowd watching the race, and it was great to win in front of them. I also enjoyed spending time with the fans, taking photos and giving away my spikes,” said Azeem, who recently completed his studies at Auburn University.
He did well under the banner of the university to win several times in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) over the last four years.
"The race wasn't an easy task because we had to do it three times - heats, semis and the final, but it's nice to win it on Malaysian soil after a while.
"Now I have two weeks to prepare for the Asian Under-23 championships. We keep going."
The inaugural Asian Under-23 meet will take place from July 9-12, at the Sport Development Centre Stadium in Ordos, China.
In the women’s 100m final, Sabah’s Nur Aishah Rofina Aling took gold with a time of 11.71s, which is her new personal best, breaking her previous mark of 11.80s last year, set at the Malaysian Open.
Terengganu’s Izzatul Musfirah Ahmad Kamal Azira, also clocked the same time but was beaten by a photo finish, while Malaysia Universities’ Fatin Ilyana Mat Nayan took bronze, clocking 12.03s.
Meanwhile, in the women’s javelin throw, Sarawak’s Ng Jing Xuan took the gold with a throw of 48.37m, but wished the weather was helpful as she looks to break the 50m mark this year.
Her season’s best this year is 49.42m, which she set at the Asian Throwing Championship in Mokpo, South Korea, in May.
"The headwind was just too strong, so getting 48m and above was good. I wanted the 50m, but we will go for the next one, and just like Azeem, I will focus on the Asian Under-23 tournament," she said.
RESULTS
FINAL
Men
100m: 1. Mohd Azeem Fahmi (Prk) 10.21s, 2. Ariel Iskandar (Joh) 10.34s, 3. Armin Zahryl Abdul Latif (Ter) 10.44s.
Javelin throw: 1. Erick Roslee (Sab) 60.86m, 2. Chai Kai Le (FT) 60.09m, 3. Mohd Noor Iman Norman (Joh) 59.82m.
Women
100m: 1. Nur Aishah Rofina Aling (Sab) 11.71s,2. Izzatul Musfirah Ahmad Kamal Azira (Ter) 11.71s, 3. Fatin Ilyana (MU) 12.03s
Javelin throw: 1. Ng Jing Xuan (Swk) 48.37m, 2. Noor Aliya Alias (Ter) 40.40m, 3. Farisha Athirah Wai (Swk) 38.04m.
High jump: 1. Norliyana Kamaruddin (Nse) 1.75m, 2. Melissa Choong (Pen) 1.65m, 3. Aleng Ku Yee (Sab) 1.65.
