KUALA LUMPUR: United States-based runner Shereen Samson Vallabouy has started the year with a bang.
Shereen clocked a personal best time of 53.47 seconds to break her own 400m national indoor record en route to gold at the Bearson Gathje Classic in Minnesota yesterday.
She had set her previous national record of 53.79s at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships in Kansas last year (March).
Schyvinck Brooklyn of Winona State clocked 58.00s to bag the silver while Brouse Brooklyn of St Cloud State settled for bronze in 59.18s.
Shereen was thrilled to break the national record twice in the span of 10 months.
"I could not have asked for a better start to the year. It was double delight for me as I broke the national indoor record and also won gold," said Shereen.
"It was a good performance and I am looking forward to better things to come at the Cambodia SEA Games (in May)."
The 25-year-old is currently pursuing a degree in the field of recreation and tourism at Winona State University, Minnesota.
She is the daughter of track greats Samson Vallabouy and Josephine Mary. Samson still holds the 800m Sea Games record of 1:48.29, achieved at the 1989 KL Sea Games.
Josephine won medals in the women's 400m and 4x400m at the Asian Games and Sea Games.
Josephine said she was overjoyed with her daughter's achievement.
"Coach Mason Rebarchek had expected Shereen to break the national indoor record after (undergoing) tough training," said Josephine.
"Shereen will return to compete at the SEA Games and we hope she will do well. Her next NCAA competition will be in May after the SEA Games.
"Shereen has also qualified for the Asian Games in Hangzhou (Sept 23 to Oct 8) after she clocked an impressive time in the USA meet last year."
Rebarchek guided Shereen to her personal best of 52.68s to win the 400m outdoor gold at the NCAA division II track and field championships last May.