Three Irish athletes were in action on Day Six of the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon at Hayward Field, with Mark English producing the standout result on the night.
English (Finn Valley AC) ran a superb Season’s Best of 1.44.76 to qualify for the semi-finals of the Men’s 800m. English who is the national record holder with a PB of 1.44.71 finished third in heat 5 to qualify automatically for the next round. The Donegal man put in a fantastic tactical performance, positioning himself well throughout the race and staying out of trouble. He was in the top three coming up the home straight but was passed by Jonah Koech (USA) who had finished second but was later disqualified. English ran the third fastest time in the heats.
Mark English makes world semi-final
The 29-year-old will return to action tomorrow where he will run in semi-final at 3:00am Irish Time. Feidhlim Kelly who is English’s coach is part of the Athletics Ireland support team out in Eugene and both would have been delighted to secure progression in style. It is worth noting that English’s time is the fastest ever by an Irishman over 800m at a major championships.
SEMI FINAL QUALIFICATION
Mark English has secured a place in the World Championships mens 800m Semi Finals, after coming 3rd(Q) in his heat with his 2nd fastest EVER time of 1:44.76!
Semi Final @ 3am (Friday)
https://t.co/hQ0gHls3yq
https://t.co/qt6vVKKQDM pic.twitter.com/qTTXuuyl2p
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) July 21, 2022
Rhasidat Adeleke (Tallaght AC) missed out on a place in the final of the Women’s 400m by one place and just 0.17s. The 19-year-old ran very well to finish fourth in her semi-final in a time of 50.81s. Adeleke has had a superb season running national records in the 60m, 200m, 300m, and 400m (50.70s). It is unclear as to whether she will compete at the European Championships in Munich next month.
The Dubliner has ran less than ten 400m races in her career to date and proved once again tonight that she can mix it with the world’s best, a ninth-place finish is certainly nothing to be overlooked. Adeleke will be an athlete that Irish sports fans will watch closely for many years to come hopefully.
Rhasidat Adeleke has ran her 2nd fastest 400m this season clocking 50.87 in the World Championship semi finals!
Adeleke just misses out on a place in the final after coming 4th at just 19 years old!
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) July 21, 2022
Chris O’Donnell (North Sligo AC) failed to make the final of the Men’s 400m. Running on the Hayward Field track for the fourth occasion during these championships O’Donnell finished seventh in 46.01s. The Sligo man ran both the heats and final of the Mixed 4x400m Relay Team running the first leg for the team. O’Donnell who ran an excellent PB of 45.26s last month to move joint second on the Irish All-Time list for the event will now turn his focus to next month’s European Championships.
Olympian Chris O'Donnell has come seventh in his 400m World Championship Semi Final with 46.01 on the clock
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) July 21, 2022
Irish involvement in the championships continues on Day Seven.
