KUANTAN: Sprinter Azeem Fahmi kept his Olympic dreams alive after sailing into the men's 100m final at the Malaysian Open in Kuantan today despite a slow start off the starting blocks.
The 20-year-old national record holder who was trailing in the first 35 metres, pulled away as he approached the halfway mark before sprinting to the finish line.
Azeem, who clocked 10.43 in the morning heats, had the crowd cheering as he passed the finish line in the semi-finals.
He gestured towards the camera and smiled at the waiving crowd before joining the rest of the runners.
The Asian Games bronze medallist, who holds the national record of 10.09, has to beat the Olympic qualifying time of 10.00 to compete in Paris.
The final is scheduled for 9.30pm today.