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Speed demon gets wild card for world meet

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia'S fastest man, Azeem Fahmi has received a wild card for his first World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, from Aug 19-27.

But Sea Games 400m champion Shereen Samson Vallabouy will have to miss the world meet as she did not get a wild card.

Shereen, who holds the national record of 51.80s, is currently ranked 128th in the world in the women's 400m.

Last year, high jumper Nauraj Singh Randhawa qualified on merit for the World Championships in Oregon, United States. And Shereen received a wild card for the Oregon meet.

Malaysian Athletics Federation general manager Nurhayati Karim said only Azeem received the wild card to compete in the 100m, but it is sad that Shereen had to miss out.

Azeem, who is studying at Auburn State University in Alabama, United States, aims to do a 10-second run in Budapest and qualify for next year's Paris Olympics.

He holds the national record of 10.09 and is ranked 92nd in the world in the men's 100m.

The Perak athlete said he was grateful to receive the wild card.

"I will be competing against the world's best sprinters and with the stiff competition in Budapest, I believe I can clock a much better time.

"I have faith and am ready to do well," said Azeem, who has been coached by Ken Harnden since January.

Azeem's last competition was the Asian Championships in Bangkok last month where he clocked 10.24 in the heats and 10.35 in the semi-finals.

In the final Azeem posted 10.25 to finish fifth.

Coach Amir Izwan said: "The world championships will be good for Azeem in preparation for next month's Asian Games in Hangzhou."

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