KUALA LUMPUR – National sprinter Shereen Samson Vallabouy’s progress appeared to be on the right track, said Perak Athletics Association president Datuk Karim Ibrahim.
Shereen, who is currently studying at Winona State University in Minnesota, broke her personal record in the 400m national indoor for the third time within a year.
The US-based sprinter clocked in 52.87s on Friday at the Lewis International in Chicago, Illinois to win gold.
The record, which she outdid her record set at 53.47s at the Bearson Gathje Classics, Minnesota on January 13, also made her the first Malaysian female sprinter in such category to dip below 53s.
Following her impressive record, Karim told The Vibes that it would not be impossible for the 24-year-old sprinter to deliver two gold medals at the Cambodia SEA Games in May – 200m and 400m events.
“Looking at the rate of her progress, we are looking forward to seeing Shereen participate in the Cambodia SEA Games,” said Karim.
“We hope she will do well at the SEA Games, because it has been a long time since we have not gotten a medal for the 400m category.
“If she can dip under the 52s mark, it means she is capable of running within 51s. With that timing, surely she can win the gold medal at the SEA Games.”
Ipoh-born Shereen has also broken former national sprinter and hurdles runner Noraseela Khalid’s record of 16 years for the 400m indoor event when she clocked 53.79s.
Karim added, if Shereen is successful in clinching the gold medals, she will have a good chance to follow in the footsteps of her mother, Olympian Josephine Mary Singarayar, to represent Malaysia in the 2024 Paris Olympics. – The Vibes, February 5, 2023
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