Rhasidat Adeleke erases Ireland 200m indoor record

Nigeria-born Rhasidat Adeleke got her 2023 off to a flying start as she set a new Irish record in the indoor 200 meters in Albuquerque last night.

The 20-year-old, who was representing the University of Texas, ran the fastest 200m time this year of  22.52 seconds at the Dr MLK Invitational.

The time beats Adeleke previous Irish record that she set last February, her own record of 22.85 set in Albuquerque.

It wasn't the only race she was part of today, as Adeleke ran 7.20 seconds in the 60m dash, finishing second behind team-mate Julien Alfred, whose winning time of 7.02 set a new NCAA record.

After a breakout year in 2022 that saw Adeleke finishing fifth in the final of the European 400m in Munich last August, posting another national record, she has started 2023 with same intent in what looks to be another incredible year or the Dublin runner.

At the University of Texas, her ability will continue to grow, as she targets different lengths on the track, her options are plenty, in what is set to be another bright year for Irish athletics.

Behind her is an incredible team that has managed her to glory as Adeleke is now under the guidance of Edrick Floreal, a former long jumper turned coach who previously mentored the 400m Hurdles world record holder Sydney McLaughlin.

Paris 2024 is now just over 18 months away, and Rhasidat Adeleke is progressing at a perfect rate ahead of the showpiece event. Her incredible progress has been acknowledged by Irish fans, as she won the RTÉ Young Sportsperson of the year.

Having won silverware at both the national and International stage, and only being 20 years old, the sky's the limit for Adeleke, who will only get better in the next 18 months and continue to break records.