Rhasidat Adeleke has announced that she will forgo the remainder of her NCAA eligibility to become a professional athlete.
The 20-year-old has concluded her collegiate journey on a high note, clinching victory at the NCAA Championships in Austin last month. She also set a new Irish 400m record of 49.20, capturing the attention of several shoe brands with potentially lucrative offers.
A little over 24 hours after revealing her NCAA career was at an end, Adeleke confirmed that she has signed a deal with Nike.
Blessed! Next chapter with @nike 🫶🏾 pic.twitter.com/NAgpNw5mOW
— Rhasidat Adeleke (@rhasidatadeleke) July 17, 2023
Adeleke announced her decision to go professional via Instagram on Sunday: “I’m extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to represent The University of Texas these past 3 years. I couldn’t have made a better decision!”
“I’d like to thank absolutely everyone who supported me along the way and those that helped me become who I am today. However, I’d like to announce that I am forgoing the remainder of my eligibility and becoming a professional athlete.”
Rhasidat Adeleke announced today that she's turning pro. ⚡
The Tallaght 400m star had one year left at the University of Texas. She's the reigning NCAA champion in the 400m outdoors.🥇
Her first race as a pro: this Friday in Monaco, in the Diamond Series.💎 pic.twitter.com/5G40hrdyvD
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) July 16, 2023
Adeleke is set to contest her first race as a pro on Tuesday, 18 July at 6pm at the Continental Gold meeting in Hungary. She’ll be taking on the 200m world champion, Shericka Jackson. Adeleke will also be competing at the Diamond League in Monaco this Friday, 21 July, where she will take on US star Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone in the 400m.