KUALA LUMPUR: Despite restarting training only three weeks ago, Shereen Samson Vallabouy registered a personal best in the 200m at the Florida University Last Chance indoor meet on Sunday.
The Asian Games bronze medallist clocked 24.68s to win the gold medal in Mankota, the United States.
Americans Toni Canfall (25.01) and Elo Blessing Okpah (25.16) finished second and third, respectively.
Shereen also tried her luck in the 60m event but could only clock 7.73 to finish eighth.
Shereen was pleased with her performance in her first competition of the season.
"It is part of my preparation to qualify for the Paris Olympics. My target is to equal the Olympic qualifying mark in the 400m," said Shereen.
Coach Derrick White said Shereen only arrived in Florida late last month.
"However, I am proud of her progress as she managed to clock a PB in an indoor event," said White, who has been guiding Shereen since June last year.
For Shereen to qualify for the Olympics, she has to achieve the qualifying mark of 50.95 in the 400m by June.
Shereen, who has a PB of 51.80, will attempt Olympic qualification when the outdoor season begins in April.
