WUG 2025: Azeem Fails To Make 200m Final, Admits Not Ready For Two Events
BOCHUM (Germany), July 25 (Bernama) -- 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 here early Friday morning Malaysian time.
The 21-year-old Auburn University student clocked 21.51 seconds (s), slower than his first-round time of 21.26s set yesterday.
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South Africa's Bayanda Walaza, who claimed the 100m title, maintained 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 competing 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 disappointed 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 events, and the rest specialise in the 200m.
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