Injury Heartbreak for Azeem in Asian Games 100m Final as Puripol Sets Games Record
Azeem Fahmi reached the Asian Games 100m final but was hurt mid-race and finished eighth, while Thailand's Puripol won gold in a record 9.90s.
Malaysia's hopes of a sprint medal at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Games ended in heartbreak on Friday, 25 September, when national record holder Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi was injured during the men's 100m final.
The 22-year-old, who won bronze in Hangzhou in 2022, pulled up in pain mid-race but still made it to the finish line before collapsing on the track to receive medical attention. He was classified eighth in 14.65 seconds.
A strong run to the final
Earlier in the day, Azeem had looked sharp. He finished second in his semi-final in 10.25s, behind South Korea's Joeljin Nwamadi (10.17s), to secure his spot in the eight-man final at Nagoya City Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium.
In the heats a day earlier he had topped his race in 10.17s.
Fellow Malaysian Mohd Umaira Subri also had a memorable Games debut. After setting a personal best of 10.43s in the heats to reach the semi-finals, he improved again to 10.39s in the opening semi-final. That was only good enough for seventh place in his race, however, and he did not advance to the final.
Puripol rewrites the record
The final belonged to Thailand's Puripol Boonson. The Thai sprinter, who had already set a Games record of 9.91s in the semi-finals, went even quicker in the final to win gold in 9.90s.
Men's 100m final podium:
- Gold: Puripol Boonson (Thailand) - 9.90s (Games record)
- Silver: Ali Al Balushi (Oman) - 10.04s
- Bronze: Malham Al Balushi (Oman) - 10.04s
Azeem had spoken before the final about not being distracted by Puripol's sub-10-second run in qualifying, but the injury meant the anticipated head-to-head never materialised.
What happens next for Azeem
Bernama reported that Azeem suffered muscle cramps during the final and is awaiting the results of further medical examinations to determine whether he can continue at the Games.
He is still listed for the men's 4x100m relay, which begins on 27 September, and the mixed 4x100m relay on Monday. He has not withdrawn from either event.
In an Instagram post quoted by Bernama, Azeem said: "I'll undergo further examination and hope nothing is serious, so I can keep representing Malaysia at these Games."
For Malaysian fans, the priority now is his recovery. At 22, Azeem remains one of the country's brightest athletics prospects, and his run to a second straight Asian Games final underlines how far he has come.
Key takeaways
- Azeem reached the 100m final with a 10.25s run in the semi-finals.
- He was injured mid-race in the final and finished eighth in 14.65s.
- Umaira Subri set two personal bests (10.43s, then 10.39s) but missed the final.
- Puripol Boonson won gold in a Games record 9.90s.
- Azeem is awaiting medical results before the 4x100m relays.
FAQ
What happened to Azeem in the 100m final? He sustained an injury mid-race, reported by Bernama as muscle cramps, but finished the race before collapsing and receiving treatment. He placed eighth in 14.65s.
Will Azeem run in the relays? He is still entered for the men's 4x100m (from 27 September) and mixed 4x100m relays, pending the results of further medical checks.
Who won the men's 100m at Aichi-Nagoya 2026? Thailand's Puripol Boonson won in 9.90s, a new Asian Games record.
Sources: Bernama, The Star, theSun, Stadium Astro