Speed up the recovery

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, October 6, 2026

Malaysia Athletics returned from the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games without any medals, a decline from their previous performance, amid challenges including sprinter Mohd Azeem Fahmi’s injury and disappointing event results. This poor showing has prompted the National Sports Council to urge urgent improvements as Malaysia prepares to host the SEA Games next year, emphasizing the need for enhanced athlete support and strategic development.

Malaysia Athletics (MA) faces a critical moment as it confronts the aftermath of a disappointing performance at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, where its athletes returned without securing any medals. This outcome marked a significant decline from the previous edition in Hangzhou 2023, where Malaysian athletes earned three bronze medals.

Among the most notable challenges was sprinter Mohd Azeem Fahmi’s injury during the 100m final, which sparked unsubstantiated rumors on social media alleging that he had faked his groin injury. Official confirmation of the injury’s severity has since disproven these claims. Azeem, the national record holder and a bronze medalist in Hangzhou, remains optimistic despite the setback and has publicly expressed gratitude for the support received. He acknowledged the difficulties of his 2026 season but emphasized his commitment to returning stronger and fulfilling both his personal ambitions and national expectations.

Another Malaysian sprinter, Danish Iftikhar Mohd Roslee, competed in the 200m event and reached the final, posting a season-best time of 20.76 seconds in the semifinals. In the field events, hammer thrower Grace Wong and shot putter Nani Sahirah Maryata registered season-best performances with throws of 64.15 meters and 15.07 meters respectively, though other participants struggled to match their previous form.

The National Sports Council (NSC) has called on Malaysia Athletics to urgently address the evident decline in performance ahead of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games scheduled to be hosted by Malaysia next year. The upcoming regional event places added pressure on MA to implement strategic planning and support mechanisms aimed at nurturing athletes’ development and optimizing results.

Despite the overall disappointment, a moment of sportsmanship stood out when Thailand’s Puripol Boonson, who won two gold medals and broke records at the Asian Games, extended well wishes to Azeem via social media, encouraging him to recover swiftly. Azeem responded warmly to the gesture, reflecting a spirit of camaraderie among competitors.

Looking forward, Malaysia Athletics recognizes the pressing need to rebuild momentum and better prepare its athletes to perform on the regional stage. With a home SEA Games on the horizon, the focus now shifts to overcoming recent setbacks through enhanced training regimes and comprehensive support structures to ensure Malaysian athletes can compete at their full potential.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.