KUALA LUMPUR: Despite the windy conditions, Shereen Samson Vallabouy clocked 52.29s to win the women's 400m bronze medal at the Florida Relays Track and Field Championships in the United States on Saturday.
However, Shereen's coach Derrick White, though pleased with her effort, touched on her pace coordination during the second half of the race.
"I hope she will be able to execute the second half of the race correctly," said White, adding that this would be the focus when Shereen competes in the Tom Jones Invitational on April 12-13.
"I am expecting her to do better."
The Florida competition was Shereen's first 400m outdoor race this year and her fourth fastest time in the quarter mile event.
Her effort was far off the Paris Olympics qualifying time of 50.95.
However, the 25-year-old's timing was faster than her efforts at the Phnom Penh Sea Games (52.53s — gold) and the Hangzhou Asian Games (52.58s — bronze), both achieved last year.
Canada's Kyra Constantine (51.50) won the gold medal in Florida, while her compatriot Zoe Sherar (51.64) took silver.
Asia's fastest woman, Shanti Pereira of Singapore, clocked 53.67 to finish fifth, but the 400m is not her forte event.
"It was Shereen's fastest opener and fourth fastest time in the 400m. She clocked 53.00 in her first race last year and 55.00 in her maiden event in 2022," said White.
On March 16, Shereen won the 200m gold by clocking 23.63 in her season-opening competition at the Bob Hayes High School Invitational in Jacksonville, Florida.
It marked Shereen's 11th victory in track competitions since moving to the US last year.
