Muhammad Azeem aims to among fastest in Asia next year

SEPANG, National sprint champion Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi has a 'big dream' to become one of the fastest individuals in Asia starting next year. According to the national record holder in the 100 metres (m) event, he is currently in the transition phase of changing the training pattern under the guidance of his coach Ken Harden, which is expected to have a positive effect on his performance. "This year is basically a transition year where I have just started to adapt to the new training method, new environment. Many people don't know because I love to work hard in silence. "For my target in 2025, of course, to be back, to be one of the fastest in Asia. So, for 2025, definitely, I'm going to be a different (Muhammad) Azeem and not a kid anymore, Inysa-Allah," he told reporters after arriving at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) here today. Muhammad Azeem, who competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics through a wild card ticket in the 100m, managed to advance to the first round after finishing secon d in the qualifying round with a time of 10.42 seconds (s). However, the Teluk Intan-born athlete's wish to advance to the semi-finals was dashed when he finished last out of nine runners in Heat 2 at the Stade de France after posting 10.45s. He said that he would be competing in three important tournaments next year, namely the Asian Track and Field Championships in Gumi South Korea, the Tokyo World Athletics Championships and the Thailand SEA Games. "I have already started to think about what I'm going to do in 2025. So, it's a long way, it's a long year but I will return to America (United States) soon and sit down and talk with coach Ken so that we can draft our plan for next year," he said. Meanwhile, he described all the criticism and remarks regarding his lacklustre performance at the Paris Olympics as a 'price' to be 'paid' as an athlete. The 20-year-old said he would accept all of that with an open heart to be a spirit booster to face the blue riband event in the future despite sometimes facing uncertain situations. "It's a normal thing for an athlete (where) we will all be criticised, given advice (and) various reprimands (and) should take everything positively at this young age. "... there is no denying that it was not a good performance but for me, one bad performance does not define the whole career. That's the ups and downs of an athlete, I'm sure it happens to others as well,'h esaid. Source: BERNAMA News Agency