KUALA LUMPUR: Azeem Fahmi clocked a slow 6.76s in the men's 60m in his first competition of the season at the Harvey Glance Tide versus Tigers Dual Meet in Alabama on Friday.
He finished fourth overall.
A student of Auburn State University, Azeem holds the national record of 6.62.
Favor Ashe won the race in 6.53 while Jhekovan Rhetta came in second in 6.66, followed by Makanakaishe Charamba (6.72).
The 19-year-old Azeem, who won the 100m bronze medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games in October, said: "It wasn't a decent time.
"However, I am grateful to finish the race healthy. Overall, I'm not satisfied but I trust the process. Still a long way to go.
"I just have to be patient," said Azeem, whose main target this year is to qualify on merit for the Paris Olympics.
Azeem, who trains under coach Ken Harnden since last January, needs to clock 10 seconds flat to qualify for Paris or be ranked in the top 48 by the end of June.
He is currently ranked 39th in the world.