Rhasidat Adeleke took another massive leap forward in her already impressive career recently lowering her own Irish 200m record to 22.59s at a US College meet.
Adeleke is currently representing Texas University, where she is studying economics and was competing in the Texas A&M Dual Meet on Saturday April 2nd.
Not only does time move her into world-class territory but it also qualifies her for both the World and European Outdoor Championships which will be held in Eugene, Oregon, and Munich respectively this summer.
Adeleke’s time took nearly three tenths of a second off her previous National Outdoor record of 22.90s, which she set when winning the 200m at the European U20 Championships in Tallin, Estonia last summer.
The Tallaght AC athlete has had an excellent 2022 so far. In February she broke Phil Healy’s National Indoor 200m record, clocking 22.85s at a meet in Albuquerque.
In January, Adeleke ran the fastest time ever by an Irishwoman over 300m Indoors or Outdoors, running 36.87s in her first race of the year. That time was also the fastest ever run over the distance Indoors by a European teenager.
Adeleke also holds the Irish Record over 60m, having ran a time of 7.17s last month, to take the record back from Molly Scott. Both athletes smashed the 7.20s barrier this season.
It is worth putting Rhasidat’s recent record-breaking times into context. Her new 200m record would’ve made her the 3rd fastest qualifier for the last European Championship final in 2018 and would have been good enough for a 5th place finish in the final.
Adeleke made the move to Texas University in 2020 and her career has blossomed since. She describes the move as one of the best decisions she’s ever made. She is now being coached by Edrick FlorealI.
“I love it over here. No regrets at all. I love my team, I love my coach [Edrick FlorealI], love my facilities, my surroundings, Austin is an amazing experience to live — so much to do. I’m just so grateful that I chose this school, and I made this decision because it’s not only great for my track career, it’s great for me as well. I’ve met so many great people, I’ve made so many connections,” she said of her move stateside recently.
Her career path is definitely on an upward trajectory. She is definitely an Irish athlete to watch out for this summer and will hopefully be for many years to come.
