KUALA LUMPUR: It's the last chance saloon in Kazakhstan for Shereen Samson Vallabouy this weekend. Malaysia's athletics queen will really need to produce an almighty run in the Central Asian city of Almaty.
Her 400m race in the Kazakhstan Open will decide whether she qualifies for next month's Paris Olympics.
The 26-year-old Perakian is currently ranked 58th in Olympic qualifying, and only the top 48 make the cut.
Asian Games bronze medallist Shereen needs to break her national record of 51.79 seconds and also win the 400m at the Kazakhstan Open to improve her ranking.
Shereen, who runs in the 400m heats tomorrow, said she hopes to break her national record in Almaty.
"There's a slight pressure wanting to get there and do it. Maturing on the spot has made me calm and confident in my ability.
"This is my first ever run in Almaty and I'm hoping for some strong challenge there (to push her).
"I believe that I deserve a place in the Olympics as I have been consistent in my races and train really hard for it," said the Sea Games champion.
Shereen's American coach Derrick White, who is with her in Almaty, believes she has a good chance in the Kazakhstan Open.
He said: "I think she has really a good chance with the training going on and how fast she adjusted to training despite her 22 hours flight from the United States to Malaysia last week.
"She still managed to run 52.45 in the final to win the 400m in the Malaysian Open.
"The Kazakhstan Open will be her last shot to qualify for the Olympics, and we have been putting a lot of stuff and race together.
"I think she can break her national record. Based on the points system, it's a bit different but it's very much possible she can qualify for the Olympics."