Esther Akinsulie

Esther Akinsulie (born 22 April 1984 in Winnipeg, Manitoba)[1] is a Canadian athlete specializing in the 400-metre sprint. She graduated from Carleton University with a degree in psychology.[2]

Esther Akinsulie
Born (1984-04-22) 22 April 1984
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
NationalityCanadian
EducationBachelor's in psychology
Alma materCarleton University
Height177 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Medal record
Women's athletics
Representing  Canada
Universiade
Gold medal – first place2009 Belgrade4 × 400 m relay
Silver medal – second place2009 Belgrade400 m
Francophonie Games
Silver medal – second place2005 Niamey4 × 400 m
Gold medal – first place2009 Lebanon4 × 100 m
Silver medal – second place2009 Lebanon4 × 400 m
Bronze medal – third place2009 Lebanon200 m

Biography

Esther Akinsulie began competing in track in her final year at A.Y. Jackson Secondary School, prior to which her focus had been basketball. During her first year at Carleton University she realized she couldn't continue competitively in both sports and chose track as she felt she would have a longer career as a runner.[3]

Esther Akinsulie won two medals at the 2009 Universiade held in Belgrade: the silver in the 400-metre sprint, with 51.70 seconds, and gold in the 4 × 400-metre relay alongside Carline Muir, Amonn Nelson and Kimberly Hyacinthe.[4][5]

At the 2009 Francophonie Games in Lebanon, Akinsulie won bronze in the 200-metre sprint, silver in the 4 × 400-metre relay alongside Tasha Monroe, Lauren Seibel and Melina Thibodeau, and gold in the 4 × 100-metre relay alongside Hyacinthe, Jennifer Cotten and Kate Ruediger.[6]

Her 2010 season was tarnished by an Achilles tendon injury.[2] She returned to competition in 2011 at the Canadian Track and Field Championships, winning silver in the 400-metre sprint and bronze in the 200-metre sprint.[7]

She competed in the 2009 and 2011 World Championships at the 4 × 400-metre event, but the Canadian relay was eliminated each time in the playoffs.[8]

In February 2013 Akinsulie had a positive anti-doping test on a diuretic and was suspended for six months. She satisfied officials that the substance was not for performance-enhancing reasons.[8]

Awards
International competition
Date Competition Location Result Event Performance
2005 Jeux de la Francophonie Niamey Silver medal – second place 4 × 400 m 3 min 40 s 96
2007 Pan American Games Rio de Janeiro 6th 4 × 400 m 3 min 32 s 37
2009 Universiade Belgrade Silver medal – second place 400 m 51 s 70
Gold medal – first place 4 × 400 m 3 min 33 s 09
Jeux de la Francophonie Beyrouth Bronze medal – third place 200 m 23 s 63
Gold medal – first place 4 × 400 m 3 min 35 s 95

Records
Personal records
Event Performance Location Date
200 metres 23 s 24 Baton Rouge 17 April 2010
400 metres 51 s 70 Belgrade 9 July 2009

References
  1. "Esther Akinsulie". Official 2018 Olympic Team Website. Team Canada. 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  2. Plouffe, Dan (8 September 2011). "Akinsulie moves big step closer to Olympic qualification". sportsottawa.com. Ottawa Community Sport Media Team. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  3. "Paul Van Steen Sports Achievement Award 2009 - Esther Akinsulie" (PDF). Ottawa: Bridlewood Community Association. 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  4. "Team Canada claims second gold medal". canada.com. Postmedia Network Inc. Canwest News Service. 12 July 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  5. "Canada wins 15 medals at World University Games". Channels. Montreal: McGill Athletics and Recreation. 12 July 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  6. "Medalists". Government of Canada. 16 October 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  7. Plouffe, Dan (8 September 2011). "Akinsulie returns from injury to lead Lions contingent at nationals". sportsottawa.com. Ottawa Community Sport Media Team. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  8. "Canadian sprinter Akinsulie suspended for anti-doping rule violation". CBC Sports. Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. The Canadian Press. 26 June 2013. Archived from the original on 29 June 2013. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
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