National runner Shereen Samson Vallabouy is recovering from a hamstring injury as she aims to defend her women’s 400m gold at the 2025 SEA Games.
KUALA LUMPUR: National women’s 400m runner Shereen Samson Vallabouy is racing against time to recover from a hamstring injury ahead of the 2025 SEA Games in Thailand.
Shereen sustained a left-leg hamstring strain two weeks ago during a 4x100m relay practice session.
She reported encouraging progress, stating she managed to start jogging again two days ago.
“I think only time will tell, but so far I can see good progress right there,” she said after a meeting with the SEA Games Chef-de-Mission.
The 27-year-old is slated to compete in four events: the women’s 400m, 4x100m, 4x400m, and mixed 4x400m.
Shereen said she will not underestimate the challenge from Thai and Vietnamese athletes at the biennial games.
She is the national record holder with a time of 51.79 seconds set two years ago.
Her season-best time this year is 53.66 seconds, recorded at a meet in Florida, United States, in April.
Shereen won the women’s 400m gold at the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia with a time of 52.53 seconds.
Her biggest hurdle is expected to be Thailand’s Josephine Chinenye Onuorah, the Southeast Asian leader this year with 52.70 seconds.
Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Ngoc is also a serious contender after running 53.12 seconds at the Asian Championships in May.
Other threats include Thailand’s Benny Nontanam (53.15s) and Vietnam’s Le Thi Tuyet Mai (53.37s).
The 2025 SEA Games will be held from December 9 to 20 across Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla provinces. – Bernama
