KUANTAN – National sprinter Muhammad Azeem Fahmi may not have hit his desired time for the Paris Olympics last night, but his father’s advice, deeply embedded within him, resonated as he delighted the home crowd at Stadium Darul Makmur after the 100-m finals race at the Malaysian Open Athletics Championship.
Azeem, who has a mission to achieve a time of 10.25 seconds(s) to improve his world ranking for Olympic qualification, clinched victory in the final race but had to settle for a time of 10.43s.
In a heartfelt gesture to show his appreciation to the approximately 300 fans at Darul Makmur Stadium who came to support him, Azeem threw his running spikes into the crowd, sparking cheers and excitement among the spectators.
For him, this is a way to thank all the fans who faithfully came to support him on his journey to qualify for the Olympics at the Malaysia Open.
“My father once advised me, ‘In my blessings lies the blessings of others.’
“For me, those who came tonight have given their energy, effort, and spent money to be at the stadium to support me.
“If I can make my fans happy, they will pray for my success. So, I cannot repay their kindness, I can only give what I can.
“I can buy running spikes anytime, but perhaps with the support I have now, I may never get such a crowd again,” said Azeem.
After wrapping up the Malaysia Open campaign, the Perak-born athlete will head back to his hometown of Teluk Intan to enjoy the Father’s Day break and Aidiladha festivities with his family.
However, his holiday will be short as he needs to prepare for the Kazakhstan Open in Almaty, starting June 23.
This will be Azeem’s final opportunity to qualify for the Paris Olympics based on merit.
Despite the setback in achieving his desired time, Azeem’s dedication and gratitude reflect the values instilled by his father, making this Father’s Day celebration even more meaningful. – June 16, 2024