Ciara Mageean (City of Lisburn AC) lit up Sunday evening’s session of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest with a textbook semi-final display to book her place in Tuesday’s 1500m final.
Racing in the first of the two semi-finals, the Portaferry athlete never looked like being run out of the top six automatic qualifying places, ultimately crossing the finish in 3rd place in a comfortable 4:02.70.
22-year-old Sarah Healy (UCD AC) went in the second of the 1500m semi-finals and signed off her second World Championships with an national U23 record of 3:59.68, in the process becoming only the third Irish woman to break 4 minutes, alongside Ciara Mageean and Sonia O'Sullivan.
The 8th place finish saw Healy miss out on the final by an agonising two places, but speaking after her race the national 1500m champion spoke of her pride at being able to mix it with the best in the world.
Healy said: “It’s hard not to make a final having run sub 4 minutes but it’s a big moment in my career so I’ll enjoy the sub 4. It’s great to know I can compete with so many of the athletes I would have looked up to. The times just keep coming down so you’re going to have to run under 4 minutes to make major finals so I’m really happy that I’m in that space now.”
Kate O’Connor rounded out her busy heptathlon schedule with a 2:14.06 SB in the 800m which saw the Dundalk St Gerard’s athlete finish in 13th place overall (6145 SB). O’Connor’s competition included a personal best in the 100m hurdles as well as three season’s bests in the high jump, 200m, and this evening’s 800m which will give her great confidence on the road to Paris 2024.
Speaking earlier in the day, O’Connor said: “I’m so happy to be here. I wanted to finish on a high and I competed really well across the competition. It’s my first senior World Championships and I did come here wanting a top 10 but I’ve shown everyone what I can do and there’s plenty to build on for the future.”
Day 2 Results Summary
- Sharlene Mawdsley – Women’s 400m – Heat 1 – 51.17 PB q
- Rhasidat Adeleke – Women’s 400m – Heat 5 – 50.80 Q
- Kate O’Connor – Women’s Heptathlon Long Jump – 5.74m
- Kate O’Connor – Women’s Heptathlon Javelin – Group B – 46.07m
- Ciara Mageean Women’s 1500m – Semi-Final – 4:02.70 Q
- Sarah Healy Women’s 1500m – Semi-Final – 3:59.68 NU23R (14th)
- Kate O’Connor – Women’s Heptathlon 800m – 2:14.06 SB
- Kate O’Connor – Women’s Heptathlon – 6145 SB (13th)
Day 3 – Monday August 21st
Day three’s focus from an Irish perspective will on the women’s 400m semi-finals with Rhasidat Adeleke and Sharlene Mawdsley taking to the track from 8.12pm.
Adeleke will take her place alongside top ranked Marileidy Paulino (DOM) in the first of the semi-finals from 8.12pm. Adeleke and Paulino are the only two athletes in their semi-final to have gone sub-50-seconds this season and both will be hoping to claim one of the first two automatic qualifying spots. Jamaica’s Candice Mcleod will also be targeting a place in Wednesday’s final and will ensure the race goes right to the line.
Mawdsley’s semi-final (2) contains three athletes who have gone sub-50 in their career and it will be a huge ask for the Newport AC athlete to advance given her busy start to these championships. From a difficult lane 2 draw the Tipperary athlete will be looking to challenge today’s 51.17 lifetime best in what has already been an outstanding week for the 2023 national 400m champion.
Evening – Monday August 21st
- Rhasidat Adeleke – Women’s 400m – Semi Final 1 – 8.12pm (Irish time)
- Sharlene Mawdsley – Women’s 400m – Semi Final 2 – 8.20pm (Irish time)
