Nigerian-Born Salwa Eid Naser sets Zurich Diamond League record in stunning 400m victory

...Bahrain’s sprint queen stormed past rivals to secure her third Diamond League crown with a historic meeting record
By Mishael Emmanuel with additional reports by Ajiware
  
  
   Salwa Eid Naser delivered a performance for the ages at the Zurich Diamond League Final, storming to her third Diamond League women’s 400m title in breathtaking fashion. The Nigerian-born sprinter, now representing Bahrain, clocked an astonishing 48.70 seconds, breaking a meeting record that had stood unchallenged for over four decades.

The previous record of 48.86 seconds, set by Czech legend Jarmila Kratochvilova in 1982, had long been considered untouchable. But Naser, born Ebelechukwu Antoinette Agbapuonwu in Nigeria before switching allegiance to Bahrain, powered down the track with unmatched determination to rewrite history.
 
Her fiercest rival on the night, Mariledy Paulino of the Dominican Republic, who has dominated the event in recent seasons, had to settle for second with a blazing 49.23 seconds. Rising star Henriette Jaeger of Norway continued her impressive season by finishing third in 49.49 seconds.

For Naser, this victory was more than just another Diamond League win. It was a triumphant return to the spotlight and a reminder of her exceptional talent that has often been shadowed by controversies off the track. The 26-year-old sprinter, who famously won the 2019 World Championship gold in Doha with a personal best of 48.14 seconds, has consistently shown she can rise to the biggest occasions.
 
Speaking after her race, Naser highlighted her resilience and gratitude. “This means everything to me. I have been working hard to return to my best shape, and tonight I proved to myself that I can still deliver world-class performances.”

Her record-breaking run not only strengthens her reputation as one of the greatest 400m sprinters of her generation but also sets the stage for a thrilling build-up to next season’s global championships.
 
As the athletics world celebrates this remarkable feat, Naser’s story continues to inspire. From her Nigerian roots to global recognition under Bahrain’s flag, her journey reflects the power of perseverance, reinvention, and raw talent.

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