HANGZHOU: Sprint sensation Azeem Fahmi became the second Malaysian to end the country’s medal drought in Asian Games athletics today when he won the bronze medal in the men’s 100m final.
It was his first medal at any international level, and Malaysia’s first in the Asian Games 100m after 41 years since Rabuan Pit claimed gold in the event in New Delhi, India, in 1982.
Azeem, 19, clocked 10.11s, just 0.02s slower than his national record of 10.09s set at the World Under-20 Athletics Championships last year in Cali, Colombia.
China’s Xie Zhenye equaled his personal best of 9.97s to claim the gold, while Thailand’s Puripol Boonson took the silver with a time of 10.02s after his compatriot Soraoat Dapbang was earlier disqualified for a false start.
Earlier this evening, national track queen Shereen Samson Vallabouy also won a bronze, ending Malaysia’s 17-year medal drought in women’s athletics when she finished third in a time of 52.58s in the 400m final.
The women’s 100m was won by Ge Manqi of China (11.23s), with Shanti Pereira of Singapore (11.27s) coming in second, followed by Bahrain’s Hajar Saad Saeed Al Khaldi (11.35s) in third place.
