ATHLETICS – BAHRAIN’S superstar elite sprinter Kemi Adekoya claimed her second victory in a major European race in less than a week on Friday night.
Taking to the track at Estadio Vallehermoso for the Meeting Madrid 2024 in Spain, Adekoya triumphed in the women’s 400 metres hurdles to maintain her impressive form as she gears up to go for gold at the fast-approaching Paris Olympic Games 2024.
The 31-year-old powered to a dominant win in 53.90 seconds, finishing well ahead of runner-up Alanah Yukich of Australia, who had a mark of 55.15s. Line Kloster of Norway was third in 55.38s, while fourth through sixth, respectively, were Daniela Fra (56.13s), Sara Gallego (56.81s), and Carla Garcia (56.99s), all of whom are from Spain. Rounding out the classification in seventh was Robyn Brown (57.32s) from the Philippines.
Adekoya’s victory in Madrid came just four nights following her 400m hurdles triumph at the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland. The former world indoor champion and multiple Asian Championships and Asian Games gold-medallist ran a quicker time than her mark of 54.37s in Turku. Madrid was her second competitive appearance in the event this year.
Adekoya has already met the entry standards in both the 400m hurdles (54.85s) and the 400m (50.95s) for this summer’s Olympics, the Bahrain Athletics Association has confirmed.
The Meeting Madrid 2024 was a silver-level event, featuring elite athletes from across the globe, on this year’s World Athletics Continental Tour. Adekoya was the lone Bahraini taking part.
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