‘Being successful in a sport is a fluctuating process’
Rhasidat Adeleke is a 20-year-old sprinter from Dublin who has been rising steadily to the top of her game for quite some time. With a string of national records and collegiate victories, just last month Adeleke broke the national outdoor record in the 200m in a time of 22.68, and a week earlier she ran the fastest indoor 400m by an Irish woman.
Last weekend, Rhasidat took home a silver medal in the 400m at the NCAA Championships in Albuquerque and has his sights set on an Olympic title. Here she gives us the facts of her sporting history so far…
Surname: Rhasidat Adeleke
Profession: athlete
Earliest sporting memory?
Won the 50 meter sprint on sports day in elementary school.
How did you get into your sport?
I was always very active growing up, so I took part in several extracurricular activities. One of them is after school athletics! My teacher noticed how fast I was because I was beating some of the guys! She then referred me to a running club and pushed my sporting career forward from there.
What message would you like to give to young women and girls who are interested in a career in sports?
I have so much to say about young women and girls interested in becoming athletes, but I’ll be brief! A career in sport has so much to offer, it’s not always easy, but there are always benefits. It takes a lot of dedication and commitment, there will be times when you want to quit or miss moments and events in life, but it will pay off. What you put in, you get out! Try multiple sports and events, you will be surprised what you are good at! Remember that everyone develops differently, just because you may not see immediate results doesn’t mean you’re not improving. The connections you make are second to none, so take advantage of them! Sport brings people from all walks of life together, some of these people can be potential friends, employers or even life partners. Finally be patient! Being successful in sport is a fluctuating process.
Proudest moment yet…
I don’t have a specific moment, but I’m proud to see that I’m becoming the athlete I always envisioned myself growing up to be.
The athlete I admire the most is…
I admire Shaunae Miller-Uibo because she consistently dominates the circuit around the world and she does it with such elegance and grace. She has an amazing personality and is a great role model!
Favorite sporting memory…
Winning the U18 European 200m Championships in 2018. That’s because I had so many doubts about my participation in the championships because I hadn’t ended up in a medal position. After my semi-final I changed my attitude and in the end I won. It always reminds me how important a good mindset is.
Do you think women in sports are still stigmatized?
Yes, although a lot of progress has been made in recent years, there are still many ways to improve.
What is the biggest obstacle to visibility when driving in women’s sports?
The stronger promotion of women in sport is an enormous factor in creating visibility. Allowing the world to grow with women athletes and understand their stories will increase engagement and visibility.
The biggest stigma/prejudice there is in women’s sport is…
Women’s sport is not as interesting as men’s sport.
If I wasn’t an athlete, I would be…
A model.
My favorite pre-competition meal is…
Anything with chicken and rice/noodles.
My pre-competition playlist includes…
Many rap artists like Lil Baby, Pop Smoke, Future and Gunna.
My daily routine is…
Get up around 5:30 a.m., go to the weight room, then have breakfast at home. Go to class at 9:30, have lunch, and go back to class by 2:00 p.m. Train on the route around 3 p.m. Get dinner at 5:30am. Go to a team meeting at 6am, then go home and do your homework and go to bed.
My greatest sporting goal is…
Inspire more people to take part in sport, win multiple world and Olympic titles, and become a household name.
Sports Brands I Love (Irish or otherwise)…
Nike, Gym + Coffee and Adidas.
Biggest effort to celebrate a win…
Meet my friends and eat something unhealthy!
How do you feel about your mental health?
I try not to compare myself to others and talk to someone when I’m uncomfortable.
My three desert island beauty products are:
Sunscreen, lip balm and moisturizer!
I need 6 hours of sleep a night because…
If I don’t understand this, I fall asleep several times a day.
For me, trust is…
Feeling really good and not needing anyone to tell you to believe it.
How do you get over poor performance?
I try to have short term memory and remember that race doesn’t define me. I use it as motivation to get back on my feet.
Finally, why is sport such an integral part of the community, locally, nationally and personally?
It brings people from all walks of life together. Strangers now all have something in common when it comes to supporting a team or a specific athlete. It allows us to connect over something so special!
All pictures via @rhasidat_adeleke on Instagram.