Bakare left stunned by 400m gold

Being crowned the IAAF World Youth Junior 400m champion is still sinking in for Luton athlete Sabrina Bakare, writes Mike Simmonds.
Sabrina BakareSabrina Bakare
Sabrina Bakare

The 17-year-old Barnfield West Academy student took gold out in Ukraine last week, clocking a PB of 52.77secs in the final.

She said: “It was such a surreal feeling. When I crossed the line, I thought oh my goodness. Then I saw the time and it just emphasised the whole thing even more.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It was such an amazing feeling. My personal aim was just to get to the final, then I felt anything could happen. To have won was a indescribable feeling.”

On the race itself, Bakare was neck and neck with American Olivia Baker until pulling clear.

She continued: “I knew that the American was right on me for the first 100m then we were running side by side all the way until the final 80m.

“I took a big breath and kicked as hard as I could and came first.”

For the full story, see the News/Gazette on sale now.

Related topics: