SPRINTER Mohd Azeem Fahmi’s participation in the men’s 4x100m relay at the Asian Games will be decided today, with national coach Mansahar Abdul Jalil confirming that doctors are expected to give a final verdict on the national sprinter’s fitness.
The qualifying for the relay will begin today at the Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.
“Azeem was assessed by the doctors, but we will only get the green light today,” said Mansahar.
“He is being checked all the time and we will wait. He is on standby.”
Should Azeem be cleared, he will line up alongside Danish Iftikhar Mohd Roslee, Mohd Haziq Mohd Akhir and Mohd Umaira Subri, while Pengiran Aidil Auf Hajam will be reserve in the relay squad.
Mansahar added that the team’s morale remains intact despite Azeem’s injury scare.
“We learn and move on, and I can say that the remaining athletes are still motivated to compete,” he said.
Azeem is looking to put a painful chapter behind him after injury ended his medal bid in the 100m final on Friday.
The national sprinter appeared to have suffered an apparent hamstring injury but still crossed the line at the last spot with 14.65 seconds.
The Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games bronze medallist later took to social media to reflect on the setback.
“The scariest thing in this sport is injury, and I believe none of the athletes want to go through that,” he said.
“I’ve been doing everything I could to make sure I end up where I wanted to be, but God has a better plan.
“I’ve been running since January. Countless races, setbacks, reps, training and a lot more.
“But this is not the end.”
Thailand’s Puripol Boonson lived up to expectations by storming to gold in 9.90 seconds, breaking the Games record for the second time in a matter of hours after having already lowered it to 9.91 seconds in the semi-finals.
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