Rhasidat Adeleke crusied into the NCAA Championship 400m final with ease on Friday night, as she seeks to become the latest Irish champion at the prestigious athletics championships.
An impressive run saw her take a 51.12 with ease - not even a season-best for the 20-year-old, in an ominous sign for her future competitors.
Her brilliance has caught the eye of one American athletics legend, with Michael Johnson praising the Irish sprinter after her performance in Albuquerque on Friday night.
Johnson shared a video of Adeleke's semi-final run on Twitter, and commented on the one aspect of her sprinting technique that she could improve to jump to another level.
Michael Johnson heaps praise on Rhasidat Adeleke
Michael Johnson would know a thing or two about mid-distance sprinting. As a four-time Olympic gold medallist across the 200m, 400m, 4x400m, Johnson stands among the true greats of the sport.
He appears impressed by one of the brightest prospects in Irish athletics, with Rhasidat Adeleke catching the eye of the US sprinting legend.
Adeleke eased into the NCAA Division 1 400m final with a 51.12 in Friday's semi-final - and Johnson thinks she has potential to go even faster if she can make one crucial improvement to her technique.
Speaking on his Twitter page, Johnson said:
"Look out when she learns to use those arms. She's carrying them instead using them to drive the legs. The difference is significant over 400. Helps increase speed and reduce fatigue."
Look out when she learns to use those arms. She’s carrying them instead using them to drive the legs. The difference is significant over 400. Helps increase speed and reduce fatigue. https://t.co/9iGfp6XXRn
— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) March 11, 2023
Considering that Adeleke has already lowered two Irish national records in 2023 (200m and indoor 400m), any potential improvements to her sprinting technique could see her fulfil the immense promise she has shown since the beginning of her college career.
Still only 20, Adeleke has so much more to give in her sprinting career, and the likes of Michael Johnson will continue to take notice if she continues to post such impressive times.
Rhasidat Adeleke will run in the 400m final at 11:20pm Irish time on Saturday night, with hope of another medal in the 4x400m final an hour later.
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