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Morolake Akinosun

Morolake Akinosun
Personal information
NationalityNigerian/American
Born (1994-05-17) May 17, 1994 (age 30)
Lagos, Nigeria
EducationUniversity of Illinois, University of Texas
Alma materUniversity of Texas
Height5 ft 4 in (163 cm)[1]
Weight133 lb (60 kg)
Sport
CountryUnited States
SportTrack and field
EventSprinting
Medal record
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2016 Rio de Janeiro 4×100 m relay
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2017 London 4×100 m relay
Bronze medal – third place 2019 Doha 4×100 m relay
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 2015 Toronto 4×100 m relay

Morolake Akinosun (born May 17, 1994) is a Nigerian-born American former track runner who competed at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. She won a team gold medal at the 2015 Pan-American Games in Toronto in the 4 x 100-meter relay. She is only the second woman ever to score in four events at an NCAA Outdoor Championships in consecutive seasons. She is a four time NCAA 4 x 100 champion. Akinosun won a gold medal at the 2013 USA Junior Championships, in the 100m (11.64).

Rio 2016 Summer Olympics

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Akinosun was part of the gold medal winning 100-meter relay team, with Tianna Bartoletta, Allyson Felix, and English Gardner. She was replaced for the final by Tori Bowie after having run in two qualifying races.[2]

NCAA

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Morolake Akinosun is a Texas Longhorns track and field alum and won 13 Big 12 Conference titles.[3][4] Morolake Akinosun is a 13-time USTFCCCA NCAA Division I First-Team All-American (11 at Texas; 2 at Illinois) and 9-time USTFCCCA Second-Team All-American (5 at Texas; 4 at Illinois).

Year Big 12 Conference Indoor NCAA Division I Indoor Big 12 Conference Outdoor NCAA Division I Outdoor
2015–16 60 metres 7.30 1st 60 metres 7.21 4th 100 metres 11.32 w(0.1) 1st 100 metres 11.07 w(2.6) 3rd
200 metres 23.33 5th 200 metres 23.35 9th 200009 200 metres 22.54 w(1.9) 4th
2014–15 60 metres 7.23 1st 60 metres 7.33 9th 100 metres 11.00 w(3.5) 1st 100 metres 10.97 w(3.1) 2nd
200 metres 23.37 2nd 200 metres 23.69 14th 200 metres 22.68 w(3.5) 1st 200 metres 22.52 w(1.9) 5th
2013–14 60 metres 7.29 1st 60 metres 7.23 4th 100 metres 10.96 w(2.6) 1st 100 metres 11.33 w(−3.4) 2nd
200 metres 23.54 2nd 200 metres 23.78 14th 200 metres 22.17 (w) w(4.3) 1st 200 metres 22.89 w(2.2) 5th

Morolake Akinosun as an Illinois Fighting Illini freshman won a Big Ten Conference in 60 meters in 2013.[5][6]

Year Big Ten Conference Indoor NCAA Division I Indoor Big Ten Conference Outdoor NCAA Division I Outdoor
2012–13 60 metres 7.32 1st 60 metres 7.39 14th 100 metres 11.36 w(2.6) 2nd 100 metres 11.41 w(0.9) 8th
200 metres 23.47 2nd 200 metres 23.55 12th 200 metres 24.49 w(2.6) 8th 200 metres 23.52 w(2.7) 19th

Prep

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Morolake Akinosun earned all state Illinois High School Association honors four years (2009, 10, 11, 12) for Waubonsie Valley High School.

In 2012, Akinosun was 100m Illinois state 3A champion in 11.41 US#2 IL#1 w(1.7).

In 2011, Akinosun titled in the AAU Junior Olympic Games 100m (11.62 w(−1.3)) and 200m (23.73 w(−2.1)). In the 2011 AAU Junior Olympic semi-final, Akinosun ran 100 meters in 11.42 US#5 IL#1 pre w(1.2) and 200 meters in 23.49 US#6 IL#1 pre w(−1.8).

Year Illinois High School Association Outdoor
2011–12 100 metres 11.41 w(1.7) 1st
200 metres 24.34 w(−0.9) 3rd
2010–11 100 metres 11.61 w(1.6) 2nd
2009–10 100 metres 11.97 4th
200 metres 24.90 5th

[7]

Personal life

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Morolake is of Yoruba Nigerian descent.[8][9][10] Morolake was born in Lagos, Nigeria. She migrated to the United States with her family just 2 years after she was born. She is the middle child of three girls.[11] She announced her retirement from professional track in 2024 and is currently leading athlete relations at Grand Slam Track. [12][13]

References

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  1. ^ "Morolake Akinosun". Rio 2016. Archived from the original on August 6, 2016. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
  2. ^ "Waubonsie Valley's Morolake Akinosun takes Olympic gold as part of 400 relay - Chicago Tribune". Chicago Tribune. August 20, 2016.
  3. ^ "Morolake Akinosun University of Texas Longhorns results". Track & Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS). July 9, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  4. ^ "Morolake Akinosun University of Texas Longhorns profile". Texas Longhorns. July 30, 2016. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  5. ^ "Morolake Akinosun University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign results". Track & Field Results Reporting System (TFRRS). June 9, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  6. ^ "Morolake Akinosun University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign profile". Illinois Fighting Illini. June 30, 2013. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  7. ^ "Morolake Akinosun Waubonsie Valley High School results". Dyestat. June 3, 2012. Retrieved November 14, 2016.
  8. ^ Yahaya Balogun (August 22, 2016). "Morolake Akinosun: A Nigerian hero". The Guardian. Arizona, USA.
  9. ^ "Wow!! Nigerian Pastor's Daughter "Morolake Akinosun" Win Gold For America". Aeroberry. August 22, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  10. ^ "Morolake Akinosun Prophesied This into Her Life Five Years Ago, And It Has Happened Just The Way She Said It!". Woman. August 3, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  11. ^ "About". Morolake Akinosun. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  12. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  13. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
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