Malaysian Teen Sprinter Danish Eyes Sub-10.4s Breakthrough In Tokyo

KUALA LUMPUR, May 14 (Bernama) -- Rising national sprinter Danish Iftikhar Muhammad Roslee is aiming to clock below 10.4 seconds (s) in the men’s 100 metres (m) at the 2026 Seiko Golden Grand Prix in Tokyo, Japan on May 17.

The 19-year-old said the meet would also serve as part of his preparations for the World Under-20 Championships in Oregon, the United States, from Aug 5 to 9.

Despite holding a season’s best of 10.46s, Danish said he is keeping his expectations realistic in Tokyo and intends to focus on gradual improvement while maintaining his current momentum.

“That (Oregon) is where I am targeting to reach my peak performance. God willing, in competitions such as Tokyo, I just want to gain exposure and new experience.

“For the meet in Japan, I am not targeting an exceptionally fast time, a sub-10.5 or 10.4s would suffice and that would already be good enough for me and my current physical condition,” he told reporters at the National Sports Council (NSC) in Bukit Jalil here today.

Danish holds a personal best of 10.18s set at the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand last December, where he won bronze in the men’s 100m event.

Meanwhile, Danish said he and his coach, who is also his father Muhammad Roslee Ismail, have set a bigger target in Oregon by aiming for a sub-10.2s or 10.1s time.

“Our plan is to continue giving our best, follow the training routine and make the best possible preparations,” he said.

Danish and his father are scheduled to depart for Tokyo tonight.

-- BERNAMA