KUALA LUMPUR: The presence of speed demon Azeem Fahmi has set athletics fans' pulse racing as the Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Games loom nearer.
Azeem became the country's fastest man by setting a national record of 10.09s at the World Youth Athletics Championships in Cali, Colombia, two months ago. He is ranked fifth at the world junior level and second in the Asian junior rankings.
While the 18-year-old Ipoh speedster is the hot favourite to win the 100m and 200m at the Games, his rivals will no doubt hope for a sensational upset.
So, who can stop Azeem, nicknamed the "Usain Bolt of Malaysia" in the century dash?
Haiqal Hanafi, who won the 2019 Manila Sea Games 100m gold in 10.35, looks capable of giving Azeem a run for his money.
National sprints coach Poad Kassim expects a close contest between Azeem and Haiqal, 23, of Negri Sembilan.
"Haiqal is in high spirits for the Malaysia Games after clocking a personal best of 10.12 in the heats at the Islamic Solidarity Games (in Turkey last month).
"Although it was wind assisted, it was a good run from Haiqal," said Poad.
"Haiqal has won gold in the Sea Games but has yet to win a gold at the Malaysia Games. In 2018, he won the 100m silver (10.43).
"He is all fired up for the coming Malaysia Games, which will be his last.
"It will be a mouthwatering 100m race as Haiqal has shown progress in competitions this year, and he wants to end the Games with a bang."
Poad added that the other sprinter who could spring a surprise is Arsyad Saad of Johor. "He has a personal best of 10.48, and I believe he can run faster."
Poad also said that Terengganu sprinter Zulfiqar Ismail, who trains under American coach Dwayne Miller, can spring a surprise.
The 23-year-old Zulfiqar, who got the 100m bronze (10.46) in the 2018 Games, has a PB of 10.40.
Poad believes Azeem has peaked at the world junior meet in Cali.
"I doubt he will be able to clock a good time as he did in Cali. Besides that, anything can happen in a race.
"I have faith in Haiqal, and I believe that he will rise to the occasion and deliver at the Games," said Poad, who guided Khairul Hafiz of Melaka to the 100m gold (10.18) at the 2018 Malaysia Games.
Terengganu chief athletics coach Zaki Sardi said Azeem looks to be the hot favourite for the 100m gold based on his consistent times at the world junior meet.
"He recorded below 10.20 three times in the heats (10.09), semi-finals (10.19) and final (10.14) in Cali. These are fantastic times.
"But anything can happen during the race. Even the favourite can be beaten. I am expecting a good 100m final."
At the last Malaysia Games, in 2018 in Ipoh before the Covid disruption, Selangor's Aqil Yasmin won the sprint double, 100m (10.39) and 200m (21.01).
The athletics competition is from Sept 15-18 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.