Tan Ming Wai
MALAYSIA'S Shereen Samson Vallabouy has done the country proud once again when she won the women's 400m race at the season-ending National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 2 Outdoor Championships in Michigan.
On Saturday, Shereen, representing Winona State University, powered to victory in a sizzling time of 52.68s, finishing comfortably ahead of Ayana Fields of the California Polytechnic State University (53.44) and Hanna Williams of Missouri Western State University (53.49).
Shereen's triumph came barely two months after she won the NCAA Division 2 Indoor Championships in March, capping a superb campaign in the 2021/22 season.
Shereen's splendid effort on Saturday saw her become only the only third Malaysian woman to dip under 53 seconds in the event, emulating the feats of her mother Josephine Mary and the late Rabia Abdul Salam.
Rabia's national record of 52.56s, clocked at the Asian Championships in Manila in 1993, still stood until today, with Mary coming in second fastest at 52.65s.
According to the Winona State University's official athletics site, Shereen became the first athlete from their track and field team to become outdoor champion of the 400m race at national level.
Shereen also holds the all-time best record in the 400m at Winona State University - 52.68 (outdoors) and 53.37 (indoors). She is also the fastest 200m runner ever at Winona State with a time of 23.52.