Another step forward for Adeleke as she wins back national record

THE engrossing tug-of-war between Tallaght’s Rhasidat Adeleke and Molly Scott from Carlow for the Women’s National 60m Indoor record took another turn over the weekend after the former won back that crown with a stunning time of 7.17 seconds that she registered at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Alabama.

Adeleke had previously posted a time of 7.21m over 60m in February to surpass the previous national indoor best of 7.23 set by Scott.

But the latter then clocked 7.19 on her way to victory at the National Senior Indoor Athletics Championships in Abbotstown later that month only to see Adeleke win back the record last week.

The Ireland double European Under 20 sprint champion, will be very much encouraged by her form over the early part of this year, which also saw her clock the fastest time recorded by an Irish woman over 300m back in January.

Indeed, her finishing time of 36.87 marked the first time an Irish female athlete had broken the 37-second barrier as she surpassed the previous national indoor best over that distance held by Phil Healy as well as the top Irish outdoor time of 37.07 held by Karen Shinkins.