Record Breaker Abasiono Akpan Aiming For New Personal Best In Alabama
Reigning National Sports Festival 400m hurdles queen, Abasiono Akpan will be aiming to run faster than the Auburn University women’s freshman record she set last weekend at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational in Florida when she competes at the Crimson Classic this weekend in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The 22 year old Nigerian ran 56.93 to break her University’s 20-year-old record previously held by Josanne Lucas (2003) at 57.81.
Under the guidance of Lacena Golding-Clarke, the woman who coaches Tobi Amusan to a 100m hurdles world title and a 12.12 world record, the Nigerian will feel she go faster than the 56.83 she ran last December to win the National Sports Festival title in Asaba, Delta state, South South Nigeria.
The Akwa Ibom born 400m barrier runner who moved to Auburn University this year is placed 12th in the Nigerian 400m hurdles all-time list and will be seeking to become the eighth Nigerian to run inside 56 seconds in the event.
Meanwhile, Favour Ashe is not likely to be in action as his name was not listed among the Auburn University athletes who will travel to Alabama.
Ashe failed to finish in the 100m race at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational in Florida last week.
Auburn Tigers head coach Leroy Burrell, a former world 100m record holder says he is looking forward to good performances from the team including Abasiono.
‘For the group going to Tuscaloosa, we are really looking forward to performing well and mixing it up with the Tide,’ Burrell told the school’s official website.
