KUALA LUMPUR – National sprint star Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi will not be adding a second gold medal to his tally at the 2022 Malaysian Games (Sukma) after he crossed the finish line in second in the men’s 200m race today.
What is even more concerning is the fact the 18-year-old seemed to be suffering from a hamstring injury as he held his right leg after crossing the line behind Johor’s Muhammad Arsyad Md Saat, who was 0.01s quicker than Azeem.
Azeem started the 200m race strong as he quickly gained the lead, but it was in the final metres when Arsyad’s pace exploded and he closed the gap, inching ahead and claiming the gold medal.
After the race ended, both Azeem and Arsyad needed to be examined by the medical officers, as both of them needed icing on their thighs, but later, Azeem was taken to the National Sports Institute for further observation.
Earlier today, Azeem had hinted that his hamstring could play a role in today’s race.
dear hamstring please be nice for 200m final ??
— azeemfahmi (@_azeemf) September 18, 2022
Speaking to the media after his win, Arsyad said his hamstring has also been a constant bother.
“It is an old injury, but the discomfort still occurs sometimes,” said the 20-year-old.
Even though Azeem took the lead at the start, Arsyad gave it his all to overtake the national 100m record holder.
“I knew that he (Azeem) would be quick at the start but slowly lose the pace towards the final metres.
“I am glad I could keep my momentum and overtake him before we crossed the line,” he said.
Arsyad also dedicated the win to his father, Md Saat Jaffar, who is celebrating his 59th birthday today.
“This gold medal is his birthday present. He is in Johor right now, so I hope he watched me run today and is happy with my achievement.”
The Johor sprinter’s time of 21.02s equalled the games record set by Muhammad Aqil Yasmin at the 2018 Perak edition.
In the women’s 200m race, Selangor’s Nur Afrina Batrisyia Mohamad Rizal took the win after she crossed the line in 24.83s. Sabah’s Nur Aishah Rofina Aling came in second with a time of 25.14s, while Darshini Murugan from Pahang claimed bronze after setting a time of 25.74s.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Fakhrul Razi Jailani from Melaka won the men’s 20km race walk earlier today. His time of 1m 40.05s gave him the win ahead of Penang’s Sriven Tan, who finished with a time of 1m 43.32s.
In the women’s 100m hurdles, Kuala Lumpur’s Winnie Eng May Xin won gold ahead of Perak’s Farah Syakira Azifsafain, while in the men’s 110m hurdles, Sabah made it a top two finish as Benedict Ian Gawok took the gold while Muhammad Ridzwan Ridal’s took home the silver.
Johor’s Farah Najwa Md Zahari won the women’s long jump gold medal, clearing 5.20m in her second attempt ahead of Kelantan’s Alia Batrisya Nasaruddin, who could only manage 4.82m. – The Vibes, September 18, 2022.
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