Texas Relays: Once Shericka Jackson’s Competitor, Rhasidat Adeleke’s World Record and Other Exploits in the Track World

Rhasidat Adeleke continues to captivate with her talent. Her recent standout performance was at the renowned 96th edition of the Texas Relays, where she played a pivotal role in an international quartet that achieved a new world best record in the 4×200 meters event. Competing at her home track, the University of Texas, Adeleke demonstrated her skill and determination, particularly during the second leg of the race. Together with her teammates Lanae Tava-Thomas and Julien Alfred from Texas, alongside Great Britain’s Dina Asher-Smith, Adeleke helped secure a commanding victory with a time of 1:27.05.

This impressive feat surpassed the existing world record of 1:27.46. But this isn’t her first time making stages shine. From the moment she stepped onto the track, she’s been leaving an impact. There was even a time when she went toe-to-toe with Jamaica’s half-lap queen, Shericka Jackson. But how much do you really know about her? Here’s everything about her achievements and her journey so far.

The evolution of Rhasidat Adeleke’s professional career

Rhasidat Adeleke embarked on her maiden voyage into the professional track and field realm, narrowly missing her own Irish 200 meters record as she clinched the second position at the Istvan Gyulai meeting in Szekesfehervar, Hungary, in 2023. Draped in a vibrant green and white Nike ensemble accentuated by a pink swoosh, Adeleke, having secured her professional contract that year, faced off against the swiftest 200m athlete alive, Shericka Jackson of Jamaica, who was positioned one lane inside her.

Transitioning from her accustomed 400m domain, Adeleke surged ahead magnificently, edging past Jackson marginally as they approached the home stretch. Yet, Jackson’s seasoned expertise proved decisive as she pulled ahead to claim victory in 22.02 seconds. Adeleke followed closely behind, finishing in 22.36, a mere .02 seconds shy of her Irish record set in Gainesville the previous year. Such remarkable achievements beg the question: how early did she embark on her journey to scale such lofty heights?

A 12-year-old spark ignited her athletic fire. Early wins at school competitions caught her coach’s eye, and she was soon encouraged to take her talents to club athletics. There, she experimented with different events before discovering her true calling: sprinting. This pivotal decision at 13 or 14 marked the start of her relentless pursuit of sprinting excellence. And since then, she has achieved a string of achievements.

Rhasidat’s record-breaking journey in athletics

At just 21 years old, Rhasidat Adeleke holds impressive national records across various indoor and outdoor events. Almost every event starts with 60m, 200m, 300m, and 400m indoors. As well as the 200m, 300m, and 400m outdoors. At 15 she had clinched gold in the 200m at the European Athletics U18 Championships. But this was just a start. She continued making waves year after year and even won double gold wins in the 100m and 200m at the European U20 Championships as well.

Having turned professional last year, Rhasidat Adeleke’s talent was further showcased with a commendable fourth-place finish in the 400m at the 2023 World Athletics Championships. Now, in 2024, she continues to impress, already surpassing her own Irish indoor 60m and 200m records, signaling her relentless pursuit of excellence as she gears up for what promises to be another triumphant summer on the track.

Read More: Texas Relays: With Rhasidat Adeleke’s Quartet Setting 4*200m World Record, a Closer Look at the 3 International Teams in Top 5