Zaya Akins

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

Career She won a gold medal as part of the USA 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 relay at the Championships.

NCAA Zaya Akins is an NCAA Champion, 3-time SEC Champion, 5-time All-SEC honoree as a student-athlete at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

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.

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.