Uganda’s sprint queen, Shida Leni, turned the track into her personal runway of dominance yesterday evening at the Maniak Memorial Meeting in Poland, scorching the 400 metres in 52.21 seconds. The national record holder for both the 200m and 400m delivered a performance that left a talented multinational field trailing in her wake , a show of power, precision, and poise that reasserted her status among Africa’s elite athletes.
Facing competition from six countries, Leni was ruthless from the gun, attacking the first 200 metres with a fluid stride before powering down the home straight. Burkina Faso’s rising star Sita Sibiri (52.40) and Poland’s Aleksandra Formella (52.42) pushed hard, but neither could match the Ugandan’s drive in the final metres. Germany’s Karolina Pahlitzsch (52.87) and Jamaica’s Olympic finalist Candice McLeod (53.76) rounded out the top five.
For Leni, this victory was more than just a stopwatch statement , it was a message to the continent and beyond. With the Paris 2024 Olympic cycle in full swing, every race is a step closer to peak form, and her ability to hold off such a high-calibre field underscores her readiness to mix it with the world’s best on the biggest stages.
This win also adds to Leni’s growing list of international triumphs, reinforcing her reputation as a fierce competitor who thrives under pressure. The 30-year-old, who already holds Uganda’s national records in the 200m and 400m, continues to be a beacon for women’s athletics in the country, inspiring a new generation to believe in global success.
There’s no time for a victory lap just yet. Shida Leni is back on the track tomorrow, August 8, for another showdown in Poland , and if yesterday’s fireworks are anything to go by, the world should brace for another blistering performance from Uganda’s sprinting sensation.
