PETALING JAYA: Malaysia’s 4x100m relay team endured a disappointing finish after placing eighth in the final of the World University Games (WUG) in Bochum, Germany.

Buoyed by their season-best time of 39.83s in the preliminary round, the quartet had hoped to improve in the final. But the race did not go as planned.

Lining up in lane three, the team had a sluggish start through Pengiran Aidil Auf before the baton was passed to Mohamad Raimi Mustaffa Kamal. Mohammad Thaqif Hisham attempted to close the gap on the third leg, but by the time star sprinter Muhammad Azeem Fahmi took over the anchor leg, Malaysia had fallen too far behind.

The team eventually crossed the line in 40.19s, finishing last among the eight finalists.

South Korea stormed to gold with a time of 38.50s, while South Africa took silver in 38.80s. India claimed the bronze with 38.89s, edging South Africa by just 0.09s.

Southeast Asian rivals Thailand finished fifth with a time of 39.94s.

WUG, Bochum, Germany, World University Games, Relay, 4x100, Pengiran Aidil Auf, Mohamad Raimi Mustaffa Kamal, Mohammad Thaqif Hisham, Muhammad Azeem Fahmi