SERDANG: Malaysia’s young athletes are beginning to show they have what it takes to become a force in athletics, but they know there is still plenty of work to be done.
Nine Malaysia Games (Sukma) records were broken across 47 events at the 2026 edition, underlining the potential of the national back-up squad and offering encouragement for the country’s future at international level.
“This generation can be fast,” he said confidently.
However, Azeem stressed that talent alone would not be enough, with consistent hard work and greater exposure needed for the youngsters to progress.
Johor sprinter Danish Iftikhar Mohd Roslee was among the standout performers, clocking 20.85s in the 200m to erase Selangor’s Mohd Aqil Yasmin’s 21.01s mark set in 2018.
Danish then helped Johor win the 4x100m relay in 39.46s, breaking Melaka’s 10-year-old record of 39.89s.
“What we have achieved at these Games is, first of all, a blessing from God. But it is also no surprise because we know what we are capable of,” said Danish.
“We have another Sukma to show that we can break even more records.”
Johor javelin thrower Chai Kai Le also made history with a 64.44m effort, breaking Kho Mei Kuan of Melaka’s 62.33m mark set in 2000.
Johor also set a new mixed 4x400m relay record of 3:31.45.
Terengganu hurdler Mohd Armin Zahryl Abdul Latif clocked 13.66s in the 110m hurdles to eclipse Rayzam Shah Wan Sofian’s 14.10s record from 2008.
The performance provided a fitting finale to Armin’s last Sukma.
“It is nice to end on this note, but now my focus is on bringing pride to the national set-up, with the Asian Games coming up and the SEA Games next year,” he said.
Perlis shot putter Farhana Izurein Faizalamizul threw 14.22m to erase Johor’s Rahila Othman’s 13.39m record from the 2010 Melaka edition.
“I hope to one day be equal to our national record holder Nani Sahirah Maryata. The 16m mark is my aim,” said Farhana.
Two long-distance records also fell, with Melaka’s Tan Li Ren winning the women’s 20,000m walk in 2’59:41.45, while Federal Territories’ Chen Jie Yi clocked 39:47.28 in the women’s 10,000m.
Penang’s men’s 4x400m quartet of Sayyid Amin Roslan, Y. Denishwar, K. Venket Prabhu and Mohd Farhan Mohd Isrul also set a new record of 3:11.840. Then there is the Johor mixed quartet that broke the record by clocking 3:31.45.
While the performances remain some distance from Southeast Asia’s top level, the potential is clear.
With proper coaching, support and greater exposure, this generation could follow in the footsteps of their predecessors and become valuable assets to Malaysian athletics.
