KUALA LUMPUR – National sprinter and Asian Games 400m bronze medalist Shereen Samson Vallabouy’s never-give-up attitude is the key factor behind her success at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
Former national athlete Josephine Mary Singrarayar, who is Shereen’s mother, said that her daughter’s disciplined and focused mindset will continue to keep her prevailing in athletics for years to come.
“As a mother, I’m really proud of Shereen’s achievements at the Asian Games.
“Shereen has been really hardworking since a young age, and she has always been focused on what she wanted in life.
“She went to the United States of America through her own efforts to train with the best, and she has always wanted to represent Malaysia and contribute to the country through this sport.
“Prior to the Asian Games, she was doubtful about whether she could compete due to her injuries. With the help of the National Sports Institute (NSI) and her never-give-up attitude, she worked hard to achieve what she had achieved.
“With her disciplined and focused mindset, I pray and hope that she can reach greater heights by winning more medals for Malaysia on the international stage, like the Olympics,” said the former Olympian (1988 Seoul Olympics).
At the same time, the 56-year-old, who won two bronze medals (800m and 4x400m) in the 1986 Seoul Asian Games and 1990 Beijing Asian Games, respectively, said that Shereen’s achievement will be an icebreaker for Malaysia, as more athletes will emerge successfully through athletics.
“The future of athletics in our country is really bright. We have a good development system, but I also believe that our athletes require more training to compete with the best.
“To be the best, all the athletes have to train with the best. Shereen broke the ice by leading as an example for our local athletes to excel in the sport.
“She enrolled in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) program on her own, and she has inspired a few young athletes to follow in her footsteps, such as (fellow Asian Games bronze medallist) Muhammad Azeem Fahmi, who also enrolled in the same program.
“With the achievements of my daughter and Azeem, it will be a boost for our athletics athletes, and I believe they will put in more effort in their training to win more accolades for Malaysia,” Josephine added.
Shereen’s father, Samson Vallabouy, is also a former athletics athlete, who won the bronze in the 1991 Kuala Lumpur Asian Championship.
Shereen became the third-fastest woman in Asia in the 400m Asian Games race at the Hangzhou Olympic Stadium on Saturday.
The 25-year-old finished the race with a time of 52.58s. Bahrain’s Mujidat Adekonya took gold with a time of 50.66s, while her compatriot Salwa Eid Naser finished second with 50.92s.
Shereen’s bronze medal ended Malaysia’s 17-year medal drought in the women’s 400m event.
The last to win it was hurdler Noraseela Khalid, who took home the bronze in 2006. – October 3, 2023