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Zaya Akins

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American athlete (born 2005)
Zaya Akins
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born (2005-08-30) 30 August 2005 (age 19)
Sport
SportAthletics
EventSprint
Achievements and titles
Personal best400m: 51.33 (2024)
Medal record
Women's athletics
Representing  United States
World U20 Championships
Gold medal – first place 2022 Cali 4x400 m relay
Bronze medal – third place 2024 Lima 400m
Gold medal – first place 2024 Lima 4×400 m relay

Zaya Akins (born 30 August 2005) is an American sprinter.

Early life

She attended Raytown South High School in Missouri, before attending University of South Carolina. She won eight state high school championships, breaking the Missouri state record in both the 200 and 400 metres.

Career

She won a gold medal as part of the USA 4x400m relay team at the 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia.

She missed the 2023 season through injury, but bounced back to win the USATF U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon with a time of 51.81 seconds in June 2024,

She reached the final of the 400 metres at the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru. In the final she ran 52.00 seconds flat to win the bronze medal. She also won gold in the 4x400m relay at the Championships.

Personal life

Her father Eli was a high school sprinter. She has two screws in her left knee after breaking her leg playing volleyball. She has been trained by Olympic runner Muna Lee.

References

  1. "Zaya Akins". World Athletics. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  2. "Sprinter Zaya Akins, other locals make USA's roster for U-20 world championships". Kansascity.com. 20 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  3. Young, Mason (5 July 2023). "She's the fastest girls sprinter in Missouri history. Where will she compete in college?". Kansascitystar. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  4. "World Athletics U20 Championships". World Athletics. 1 August 2022. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  5. "YOUNG AMERICAN STANDOUTS EARN PLACES ON USATF U20 TEAM". Runnerspace. 14 June 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  6. "Reid and Walaza win world U20 100m titles in Lima". World Athletics. 29 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  7. "Almayew sets steeplechase championship record to win world U20 title in Lima". World Athletics. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  8. "Reid anchors Jamaica to 4x100m title to secure golden double in Lima". World Athletics. 1 September 2024. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
  9. Han, Nathan (14 June 2022). "Record-setting sprinter Zaya Akins takes her talents to the national level this summer". Kansascitystar. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
World U20 Champions in women's 4 × 400 metres relay
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