26/07/2025

SPORTS SATURDAY | JULY 26, 2025

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Azeem fails to make 200m final WUG 2025

SHORTS Team regu garners second victory

NATIONAL sprinter Muhammad Azeem Mohd Fahmi failed to qualify for the men’s 200-metre (m) final at the 2025 Rhine-Ruhr World University Games (WUG) in Lohrheidestadion yesterday. The 21-year-old Auburn University student clocked 21.51 sec onds (s), slower than his first-round time of 21.26s set on Thursday. South Africa’s Bayanda Walaza, who claimed the 100m title, main tained his strong performance by topping the heat with a time of 20.76s, followed by Adria Medero of Spain (20.77s) and Christopher Ius of Australia (20.85s). Speaking to reporters after the race, Muhammad Azeem admitted to suffering from fatigue after compet

events, and the rest specialise in the 200m. “For me, the 200m is a good race because it helps improve my 100m, especially in terms of top-end speed. That’s why my coach and I are plan ning to focus on both events next year,” said the Teluk Intan-born sprinter. Muhammad Azeem’s personal best for the 200m stands at 20.79s, which he set in April at a champion ship in Florida – his sole appearance in the event this year before WUG. Next, Muhammad Azeem, who finished fourth in the 100m, will join the national 4x100m relay squad for the heats scheduled for today. Meanwhile, the national mixed 4x400m quartet of Umar Osman,

ing over four consecutive days, including the 100m event. “I still ran today to prove that I belong here, and I want to compete, not just participate. After today’s race, I realised my body’s condition isn’t ready to handle two events in one meet. “But this is a good preparation for 2026 because I plan to run in both the 100m and 200m. The vision is clearer now, so I wouldn’t say I’m dis appointed because I know this isn’t my main event,” he said. According to Muhammad Azeem, this was his first time competing in two events at a single meet since his school days. “It’s definitely tough. If you look at it, only Walaza is doing well in both

Muhammad Aidil Azhar Azrul Hisyam, Nurul Aliah Maisarah Nor Azmi and Chelsea Cassiopea Evalli Bopulas missed out on a place in the final after finishing last in heat two of round one with a time of 3 minutes 31.72s. In badminton, Malaysia’s Eogene Ewe and Wong Ling Ching advanced to the singles quarterfinals after victories in the round of 16 at the Westenergie Sporthalle in Mulheim an der Ruhr. Eogene beat Thailand’s Wongsup Wongsup-In 15-12, 15-9 to set up a clash with Ting Yen Chen of Taiwan, while Ling Ching defeated compa triot Siti Zulaikha Muhammad Azmi 15-3, 15-12 to face India’s Devika Sihag next. – Bernama

THE national men’s sepak takraw regu continued their excellent run in the 35th Thai King’s Cup Championship campaign after recording their second victory with a 3-0 win over Myanmar in Group B in Songkhla on Thursday. In the action held at the Hatyai Hall, Central Hatyai Shopping Centre, the country’s first regu of experienced players, Mohammad Syahir Mohd Rosdi, Mohammad Azlan Alias and Farhan Adam, did not disappoint when they easily defeated Myanmar’s first regu 2 0 (15-10, 15-9). The excellent momentum was followed by the action of the country’s second regu which fea tured Muhammad Zarif Marican Ibrahim Marican, Muhammad Shahalril Aiman Halim and Aidil Aiman Azwawi to secure a sec ond victory for Malaysia in 2-1 (15-12, 6-15, 15-13). The national third regu led by Muhammad Haziq Hairul Nizam, Muhammad Noraizat Mohd Nordin and Norfaizzul Abd Razak then sealed the national victory with a 2-0 (15-9, 15-10) result. Astaf gives safety assurance THE 38th Thai King’s Cup in Hatyai remains safe, peaceful and fully under control, the Asian Sepaktakraw Federation (Astaf) said yesterday following con cerns over regional security. Astaf president Datuk Abdul Halim Kader said the situation in Hatyai is unaffected by the recent military skirmishes near the Thailand-Cambodia border, which is more than 900 kilome tres from the tournament venue. “We encourage all partici pants, especially Malaysian and Singaporean fans, to proceed with their travel plans confidently and join us in rallying behind Team Malaysia and Team Singapore as they compete at the pinnacle of international sepak takraw,” he said in an advisory yesterday. Abdul Halim said Thai authori ties have also reinforced security at all official accommodations and the tournament venue at the Hatyai Hall inside Central Hatyai Shopping Mall, with additional personnel deployed. As part of precautionary meas ures, he also said all 18 participat ing national teams have been advised to remain vigilant and return to their official hotels immediately following each match to ensure smooth tourna ment operations and safety.

Soh eyes ‘The Sky Race’ title World No. 2 tower running champion Wai Ching aims to burnish his towering image

N ATIONAL tower running champion Soh Wai Ching is determined to prove that he remains one of the best in the sport when he competes in the 3rd Towerrunning Asian & Oceanian Championships 2025, which will be held at Merdeka 118 on Aug 30. The 31-year-old from Selayang, Selangor, said the championship provides him another golden opportunity to bring glory to Malaysia on the world stage. Known as The Sky Race, the championship will see participants climb 2,845 steps from the ground floor to the 118th floor of Malaysia’s tallest sky scraper, which is also the world’s second-tallest building. Wai Ching, who holds the world record for the fastest tower run, is expected to face stiff competi tion from elite athletes around the world, with over 4,000 participants registered from both Malaysia and abroad. “I hope to become champion and set the fastest time climbing Merdeka 118. As a Malaysian, I want National tower runner Soh Wai Ching taking a selfie with his fans after climbing the 37th level of the Communications Tower at yesterday’s Stair Climbing Clinic. – BERNAMAPIC

activity that doesn’t strain the knees because we’re moving against gravity. It’s not as taxing as other sports,” he explained. Wai Ching took up tower running in 2017 at the age of 23 and has since recorded numerous achievements, including winning the 2024 Towerrunning World Championship in Taipei. He also made a name for himself by earning the 2020 Guinness World Record for the highest verti cal stair climb in one hour, covering 1.295km up a hotel staircase in Kuala Lumpur in November 2020, surpassing the previous record of 1.227km set by a Spanish athlete. Most recently, on July 19, he set a new national record by climbing 1.694km on a stair-climbing machine as part of his preparation for the Towerrunning Asian & Oceanian Championships 2025. He also made history by breaking the world record and setting four Malaysia Book of Records titles in a one-hour stair machine challenge, log ging a total distance of 1.788km. – Bernama then I learnt that she’s not going to compete. A bit sad for me,” she said. It was reported that the 18-year-old Quan’s absence in Singapore is due to an ankle injury. Joining Lee and Pandelela in Singapore are Muhammad Syafiq Puteh, Enrique Harold Maccartney, Elvis Priestly Clement, Nurqayyum Nazmi Mohamad Nazim and Yong Rui Jie. The diving events in the World Aquatics Championships will run from today until Aug 3. – Bernama

this record for the sake of our beloved country,” he said. He added that each step up the skyscraper is not just about reaching the top, but a journey to defend his reputation, bring honour to the nation and inspire fellow Malaysians, especially the younger generation. “To me, this is a major championship with world-class status. I don’t want to let anyone deny me glory,” said Wai Ching, who was ranked world No. 1 between 2022 and 2024. The Towerrunning Asian & Oceanian Championships 2025, organised by the Towerrunning World Association (TWA), is a gruel ling test of strength, spirit and ambition as runners battle their way up the iconic tower in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Commenting on the perception that stair climb ing could damage the knees, Wai Ching clarified that the sport is safer than many think. “Many people think climbing stairs causes knee pain, but that’s not true. This sport is a low-impact Even though she admitted to feeling both pressure and excitement heading into her first world meet, she is eager to test herself against diving elites, especially those from powerhouse China. The Kuala Lumpur-born diver also feels slightly disappointed that she won’t get the chance to meet and see China’s two-time Olympic Games women’s 10m platform gold medallist, Quan Hongchan, in action in Singapore. “I really wanted to meet Hongchan, but

From idolising to synchronising, Yiat Qing’s big stage opens

LEE YIAT QING grew up watching national diving queen Datuk Pandelela Rinong. Now she’s diving alongside her. At just 17, national diver Lee is set to make a splash at the World Aquatics Championships 2025 in Singapore, and her debut is made even more special as she shares the 10m synchronised platform with her childhood inspiration. Having teamed up with the two-time Olympic Games medallist during the national trials in the women’s 10 metre (m) platform

synchronised previously, Lee believed that their partnership is beginning to blossom. The 2023 SEA Games gold medallist said she was lucky to be given the opportunity to partner Pandelela, who always offered her technical guidance and motivational support. “She often gives me advice on technique; it’s been really helpful so far,” Lee told Bernama recently. The 17-year-old won’t just be competing in synchro, she will also dive solo in the women’s 10m individual platform across the causeway.