KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 17 (Bernama) -- National 400-metre (m) athlete Shereen Samson Vallabouy is charting a different path ahead of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in Japan, leaning on local support and mental resilience rather than the high-density United States racing circuit that propelled her to bronze in Hangzhou.
Unlike her buildup to the 2022 Hangzhou Asiad, when she transitioned right out of the US collegiate system into back-to-back elite overseas races, her current preparations have been largely home-based, with fewer competitive outings.
However, the 400m specialist is confident that the comprehensive sports science and medical backing provided by the National Sports Institute (NSI) in Malaysia will ensure she remains in peak condition.
"When I ran in the (Hangzhou) Asian Games in 2023, I had just come out of college in May, and then I moved to the US to start training there under a different coach. So, it was very different. Definitely, I was more exposed to high-level competition and a lot of competition back-to-back.
"This year has been different, I've been to fewer competitions… but obviously like in Malaysia, like at the NSI, the facilities provided, medicals provided, so those are the pluses," she told reporters ahead of the Sept 19-Oct 4 Asiad.
At the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, Shereen clinched the bronze medal after clocking 52.58 seconds (s), finishing behind Bahrain's gold medallist Oluwakemi Mujidat Adekoya (50.66s) and silver medallist Salwa Eid Naser (50.92s).
Dismissing concerns that fewer competitive races this season would disrupt her momentum, Shereen stressed that mastering the one-lap race is fundamentally a test of mental fortitude and tactical execution.
"I think it's more about the mind. So yes, I competed less, but I just have to show up and run the race. I've been so seasoned in running the 400m, and I've been learning a lot lately too, so I just have to apply that correctly in the race.
"Anything can happen because there are a lot of people doing 52s. My goal is actually to do it step-by-step and get into the final first, and then run the best race I can," she said.
She identified runners from powerhouses Bahrain and India as her main obstacles for a second consecutive podium finish.
"At this moment, Bahrain are the top two, followed by a few girls (who have done) 51s-plus from India. So, those are my rivals. All I'm going to do is just give my best and execute the best race I can," she said.
Expressing confidence in her physical conditioning, Shereen said she has completed all the necessary groundwork at home and is in prime shape to deliver the goods when she takes to the track in Japan.
-- BERNAMA