Despite the absence of Rhasidat Adeleke, Ireland’s 4x400m relay team has qualified for Sunday’s final at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest (Aug 26th). The team of Sophie Becker (Raheny Shamrock A.C.), Roisin Harrison (Emerald A.C.), Kelly McGrory (Tir Chonaill A.C.) and Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport A.C.) finished 4th in the second of this evening’s heats, securing one of the fastest non-automatic qualifier places with a time of 3:26.18 SB, which was just 0.12 off the national record.
Massive result for the Irish women’s 4×4!!! Fair play to them, World Finalists 🎉🎉🎉
Brilliant to see 👏👏👏#WorldAthleticsChampionships #budapest2023 https://t.co/z94jIiP0SR— Derval O'Rourke (@DervalORourke) August 26, 2023
The team battled bravely over the opening three laps to stay within touching distance of qualification, before Sharlene Mawdsley unleashed a 50.01 anchor leg to secure the team’s place in the medal decider.
Mawdsley’s anchor was the fastest of all final leg athletes in the second heat, adding to what has been an outstanding string of championship performances from the Newport AC athlete.
Sophie Becker led the opening leg for Team Ireland and speaking after the race she said: “I’m speechless, to be so close to a national record is just amazing. We were realistically hoping for a low 3:27 so I’m so proud of all the girls.”
When asked about tomorrow’s final, Becker said: “We’ll look to come out and run fast again tomorrow and anything can happen. The USA are out and who’s to say what can happen in a world final. We’re going to recover and come back to do it again. We love competing together and we’ll give it our all for Ireland.”
- Leg 1 Sophie BECKER 51.66
- Leg 2 Róisín HARRISON 52.06
- Leg 3 Kelly MCGRORY 52.45
- Leg 4 Sharlene MAWDSLEY 50.01
The team will return for the final on Sunday at 8.50pm Irish time.
Reaction from the Irish women's 4x400m who have upset the odds to make the world final. pic.twitter.com/m3GTqhgvnw
— Cathal Dennehy (@Cathal_Dennehy) August 26, 2023
Report by Daragh Browne.