01-08-2025
Track queen Shereen's World Championships spot still uncertain
KUALA LUMPUR: Is track queen Shereen Samson Vallabouy set to represent Malaysia at the World Championships in Tokyo from Sept 13-23?
Malaysia Athletics (MA) had earlier confirmed she would be granted a wild card by World Athletics.
However, her mother and former national athlete, Josephine Mary, has claimed the matter is far from settled.
"MA will decide one month before the world meet on the wild card, and it will depend on current form," said Josephine.
She revealed Shereen has shifted her focus to the 100m event instead of the 400m since competing at the Asian Championships in South Korea in May.
At that meet, Shereen, who won bronze in the 400m at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games with a time of 52.58s, was battling a fever and could only manage 54.80 in her heat, failing to make the final.
Shereen holds the national record of 51.79 for the 400m.
The qualifying mark for the World Championships is 50.72.
Despite the setback, the Florida-based 27-year-old has bounced back in style. Trained by Derrick White, she clocked a season's best of 11.72 to win the 100m at the JAC Final Countdown meet in Florida, on July 26.
Her personal best in the event is 11.61.
"She was advised to tone down her endurance work and focus on speed to allow full recovery," said Josephine.
"She's concentrating on the 100m first and will gradually return to the 400m. It was encouraging to see her win the 100m last week."
