KUALA LUMPUR: The absence of national 100m champion Azeem Fahmi at the Malaysian Games (Sukma) in Sarawak has created an opportunity for other young athletes to claim the title of sprint king at the biennial event.
Azeem, who won gold in the 2022 edition in Kuala Lumpur with a time of 10.25s, holds the national record of 10.09s. However, he will not be competing this time after participating in the recent Paris Olympics.
Athletes who have competed in the Olympics are not allowed to participate in Sukma.
National sprint coach Poad Kassim said the race to become the new sprint king of Sukma is now wide open, with Pahang's Efrain Feerzan Khan and Sabah's Hannsen Yap emerging as the frontrunners for the 100m gold medal.
"Based on the current performances of sprinters, Efrain and Hannsen are the favourites," said Poad.
"However, I also do not rule out the possibility that other athletes might surprise."
Efrain demonstrated his potential by winning the 100m bronze at the Malaysian Open in Kuantan in June.
Meanwhile, Hannsen clocked 10.41s in the semi-finals of the Asian Under-20 Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in April.
He is using the Malaysia Games to prepare for the World Under-20 Championships later this month in Peru.
In the women's 100m, Poad hopes that Selangor sprinter Nur Afrina Batrisyia Rizal, whom he trains, will break her personal best of 11.81s.
The Sukma record of 11.81s was set by Terengganu sprinter Azreen Nabila Alias in the 2018 edition in Perak.
"I believe Afrina can do it. She is progressing in training, and that is a positive sign," said Poad.
In the 2022 edition, Afrina won bronze after clocking 12.10s, but she redeemed her disappointment by winning gold in the 200m with a time of 24.83s.
The men's and women's 100m events will take place on Monday.