Where renowned athletes are concerned, we can be proud to say that many of our very own countrymen have more than it takes to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the rest of the world. Whether it be Datuk Lee Chong Wei’s past glories in badminton, Datuk Pandalela Rinong’s impressive plunges on the international stage, or Farah Ann Abdul Hadi’s breathtaking gymnastic feats, Malaysia is never short on sporting talent.
National track-and-field star wins big at US championship
And those burgeoning list of luminaries is only set to grow with our country’s latest track-and-field star, Ms Shereen Samson Vallabouy, who has recently made the nation proud after emerging as the title-holder in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II track and field championship recently. According to Free Malaysia Today, Shereen is none other than the daughter of decorated middle-distance running couple, Samson Vallabouy and former national Olympian, Josephine Mary.
A student of Winona State University, Shereen eked out fierce competition between 300 teams and over 1,000 individual athletes, before emerging at the very top in the 400-metre race category. Her sporting prowess led her to set a brand-new championship record of 53.79s, which is currently both the NACC Division II Track and Field’s best time, in addition to a new Winona State university indoor record, according to Facebook netizen Azrail bin Khaidzir, who congratulated her over her historic win.
Shereen has also broken a 16-year national record with her new time
But that’s not all; her new record would make her the first Malaysian female runner to go under the 54-second mark in the 400-metre indoor category, breaking a 16-year national record that was previously held by Noraseela Mohd Khalid in 2006 with her time of 54.58s!
Additionally, Shereen had also broke a 12-year long record at the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference by posting a 54.94s time.
Her achievements will add to her family’s already illustrious record in local sports, with her mother Josephine Mary still holding the second-fastest time in the outdoor outdoor 400-metre category at 52.65s.
In speaking with local English daily The Star, Josephine expressed heartfelt joy at her daughter’s achievements, but has added that it must not just stop there.
“I believe she is doing great thanks to her humility, and that must continue. More achievements will come her way if she focuses on training and also discipline in life,” she said.
The National Sports Council had also taken to their official Facebook page to congratulate Shereen on her win, as well as breaking the long-standing 16-year record.
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