CHARrLOTTESVILLE, VA - A video showing University of Virginia track and field athlete Alahna Sabbakhan easily defeating a man who challenged her to a race has gone viral, highlighting the prowess of female athletes.
Sabbakhan, a Division 1 track and field athlete, shared the video on Dec. 17, revealing the race where she swiftly outpaced a friend of her boyfriend who doubted a woman's ability to beat him.
According to Sabbakhan, her challenger, unfamiliar with her track background, proposed a 400-meter race, not realizing it was one of her secondary events. Despite keeping pace with her in the first 200 meters, Sabbakhan accelerated, leaving the challenger behind.
The race, which occurred in January 2023 but was recently posted on her TikTok page with over 12,000 followers, ended with Sabbakhan finishing the 400 meters in 57 seconds, a good practice time for her.
Alahna Sabbakhan Front Double Bicep Pose
(Credit: Alahna Sabbakhan Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lahnazaki…)
…I raced my boyfriend’s friend over 400 meters. He refused to believe that a woman could beat him in a race. I just ran the first two hundred meters with him, I just stayed with him I'm not exerting myself for no reason. I have nothing to prove here. …and then, as you should always do, I finished hard because as a track runner, that’s what you do.
Random Guy Challenges Alahna Sabbakhan in 400 Meter Dash
(Credit: Alahna Sabbakhan Instagram)
She noted that the challenger, now on friendly terms with her, acknowledged the difficulty of the race, admitting it was among the hardest experiences he'd faced.
Reflecting on her track career, Sabbakhan mentioned facing challenges from men since she was younger, a common occurrence echoed by other women in similar situations.
The TikTok video, however, stirred debate, leading Sabbakhan to disable comments due to controversies arising over gender comparisons in athleticism.
Sabbakhan attributed the misconception that some male non-athletes believe they can defeat female athletes to an underestimation of the sport's difficulty and the ease with which athletes make it appear.
Typically unfazed by challenges, Sabbakhan's confidence in her abilities stems from advice imparted by her family and coaches, emphasizing the importance of personal progress and goals.
Her advice for building confidence in athletic abilities includes avoiding comparisons, focusing on personal progress, and setting realistic goals to stay motivated.
The story originally appeared on TODAY.com.
Posing for University Track Photo
(Credit: Instagram Alahna Sabbakhan https://www.instagram.com/lahnazaki…)
Alahna Sabbakhan During a Meet
(Credit: Alahna Sabbakhan Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lahnazaki…)
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