Kuala lumpur: National sprint ace Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi fell just short of a medal after finishing fourth in the men’s 100m final at the Rhine-Ruhr 2025 FISU World University Games in Lohrheidestadion early this morning, Malaysian time.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Azeem crossed the line in 10.35 seconds, his fastest time across all three rounds in Berlin, including the heats and semis, but still some way off his season best of 10.20s. South Africa’s Bayanda Walaza took gold in 10.16s, while Thailand’s Puripol Boonson secured silver in 10.22s. Japan’s Hiroki Yanagita narrowly claimed bronze with a 10.23s finish.

Earlier, the 22-year-old Auburn University student earned his place in the final after finishing third in his semi-final heat in 10.43s, behind Walaza (10.31s) and Hungary’s Dominik Mark Illovszky (10.32s). Muhammad Azeem expressed his disappointment in falling short of the podium. ‘Things happened, maybe it just wasn’t meant to be. I gave it my all, and I’m grateful I finished the race. Mo
st importantly, I did my best in these tough weather conditions. Honestly, I’m not used to competing in Europe, but that’s no excuse,’ he said.

Azeem, who holds the national record of 10.09s, will now focus on the 200m event later tonight (Malaysian time), before anchoring the 4x100m relay team on Saturday. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s 400m hopeful Umar Osman was eliminated in the semi-finals after clocking 47.10s, his slowest time of the season, finishing sixth in his heat. ‘That was my worst performance of the year. I need to improve a lot, especially for the 2025 SEA Games,’ admitted the 2023 SEA Games gold medallist.

In the women’s 800m, Hizillawanty Jamain finished last in her heat but achieved a season-best of 2:18.45s in the first-round heats. Meanwhile, in the women’s 400m hurdles, Mandy Goh Li placed fifth in her heat with a time of 1:03.12s, and Farrell Glenn Felix Jurus exited early in the men’s high jump qualifiers. The athletics competition, which began on Monday, will continue through to Sunday.