KUALA LUMPUR: United States-based sprinter Azeem Fahmi's hopes of improving his national 60m indoor record for the third time did not materialise on Saturday.
The Auburn University undergraduate posted 6.70s in the final to take fourth in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championships at Tyson Indoor Track Centre in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
In the heats, the Perak-born, who trains under coach Ken Harnden, clocked 6.66s to finish third fastest on Friday.
Azeem has broken the national 60m indoor record twice this year. First at the Texas Tech Open in Lubbock on Jan 27 by posting 6.63s, and he improved the mark by clocking 6.62s in the Tiger Paw Invitational meet in South Carolina on Feb 10.
Favour Ashe of Auburn clocked a personal best of 6.52s to hit the tape first while Jordan Anthony of Kentucky was second in 6.57 in the final.
Godson Oghenerbrume of Louisiana clocked 6.64 to be placed third.
Azeem's former coach Amir Izwan said he was unsure what had happened in the final.
"His time was way off his personal best in the final. He needs to do consistent times in competitions as things will get tougher in every race.
"Azeem also has to be more alert during a competition.
"Let's give him more time, and I hope he will do better in his coming meet.
"Overall, I am satisfied with his performance," said Amir.
Azeem, who moved to the US on Jan 4, is doing a degree in exercise physiology and kinesiology at Auburn University.