One of Uganda’s top female sprinters, Shida Leni managed to pull off a great feat this month taking home two consecutive wins within two weeks – marking it as one of her best runs in her career.
Shida Leni’s growing performance year after year shows that she has what it takes to compete, and naturally this could also reflect her readiness for the both the national and international level, making her a must-watch for future sprints.
UAF 5th National Trial 26th APRIL 2025 – 800m PB
In today’s 5th National Trial, held in Kampala’s Mandela National Stadium, while coming a narrow second place behind Aciru Knight (2 min 03.71 sec), Shida’s time of 2 min 04.4 sec, improved her previous 800m PB (Personal Best) of 2 min 05.08 sec, by over one second.
Shida has been trained by the husband and wife coaching team of Kevin and Sue O’Connor since August 2013. Kevin observed the race and had this to say:
Knight is a talented athlete. But she specialises in 800m/1500m, while Shida is a 400m/200m runner. So for Shida to get so close to Aciru over 800m, is a great reflection on Leni. We are building Shida’s over-distance/endurance abilities, by running her in some 800m races. In turn, this will improve her in her main distance of 400 metres.
Nairobi 12th APRIL 2025 – 400m National Record
In the “Sprints Build-up & Trials for World Athletics Relays” (11-12 April) at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi, Shida ran in the flat 400m. Despite running a fast 52.14 sec in winning the morning Semi Final, just 3 hours later in the Final, Shida won in 51.25 sec, thereby smashing her own Ugandan National Record of 51.47 sec.
Kevin said, “the morning Semi Final must have tired Shida, which indicates that further improvement is possible.”
Shida Leni’s Early Life and Introduction to Athletics
Shida Leni is a talented sprinter who has made waves in the world of track and field with her explosive speed and determination. Born in Uganda, Leni discovered her passion for sprinting at a young age, showing exceptional promise in school competitions. Her natural athleticism and dedication quickly set her apart from her peers, leading her to pursue professional training.
Breakthrough and Major Achievements
Shida Leni’s rise to prominence came through her impressive performances in regional and international competitions. In that time she has made substantial progress, breaking the 400m National Record on 7 occasions, then in 2019 the 200m National Record, as well as winning a 400m Silver Medal at the World University Games in Italy, narrowly missing out on Gold.
Until Shida broke them, both these National Records had stood for over a decade. Some of her other key achievements include:
- Ugandan National Champion – Dominated sprint events in Uganda, securing titles in the 100m and 200m.
- African Championships Representation – Competed at the African Athletics Championships, representing Uganda against continental rivals.
- World Athletics Championships Participation – Earned a spot at the World Championships, showcasing her speed on the global stage.
- Commonwealth Games Contender – Represented Uganda at the Commonwealth Games, racing against top sprinters from Commonwealth nations.
Record Holder: Setting national or regional records in sprint events, Leni has cemented her legacy as one of the fastest athletes from her country, managing to become one of the Ugandan National Record Holders at national records in the 100m or 200m sprints and also being one of the fastest Women in Uganda (at her peak) in her era.
Olympic Dreams: Qualifying for or competing in the Olympic Games, has been a testament to her hard work and elite status in sprinting. She has taken part in a number of world competitions and continues to aim higher.
Overcoming Challenges
Like many athletes, Leni has faced obstacles, including injuries and intense competition. However, her resilience and commitment to the sport have allowed her to bounce back stronger, inspiring young sprinters in her home country and beyond.
Legacy and Future Goals
Shida Leni continues to push boundaries in athletics, with aspirations to break more records and win medals on the global stage. Her journey serves as motivation for aspiring athletes, proving that with talent, hard work, and perseverance, greatness is achievable.
