HANGZHOU: Sprinter Azeem Fahmi is now the third fastest man in Asia.
The 19-year-old ended Malaysia's 41-year wait for a men's 100m medal today when he won bronze at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
He ran 10.11s at the Olympics Sport Centre Stadium here to finish behind China's Xin Zhenye and Thailand's
Boonson Puripol.
Xin Zhenye blazed the lanes with a super time of 9.97 while Puripol did 10.02.
The last Malaysian to win a 100m medal was Rabuan Pit, who clinched gold at the New Delhi Games in 1982.
A delighted Azeem said he did not expect to finish on the podium, since all the other finalists had clocked season's bests.
"This is my first international medal. Although I'm the national record holder, I've never won anything on the international stage.
"It's a bronze medal but it means everything to me. I just wanted to have a good race, and enjoy myself, because it's my last race for the season.
"I'm lost for words right now, I never expected to be on the podium.
"I promised my parents that I will gift them a medal in my last race of the season, and I've done it," said Azeem.
