Nick Griggs (Mid Ulster AC) and Nicola Tuthill (Bandon AC) advanced to the 3000m and Hammer Throw finals respectively on Day Three of the World U20 Athletics Championships in Cali, Colombia.
Griggs produced a controlled performance to qualify for Saturday’s 3000m final. The Tyrone man looked comfortable throughout his heat and was well clear of the athletes in fifth and sixth. Griggs was looking around with 500m to go and realising he was safe was able to relax. He crossed the line in fourth running 8.08.35 to secure his place in the final. Kenyan athlete Felix Kiptarus Korir won the heat with a sub eight-minute clocking, however he needlessly sprinted to the line.
Nick Griggs makes world U20 3000m final
Grigg’s training partner Callum Morgan (Candour Track Club) finished in fourteenth position in the second heat in 8.36.23 failing to advance to the final.
Nicola Tuthill produced the performance of her life to qualify for the final of the Hammer Throw on Friday night just after 9pm. The Cork woman who dislocated and fractured her elbow had a far from ideal build-up to these championships but still managed to throw a new personal best of 61.87m to advance. Tuthill finished fourth in Group B of qualification and sixth overall. Italian athlete Rachele Mori had by far the furthest throw of the qualifiers with a massive effort of 64.83m.
Lucy-May Sleeman (Leevale AC) raced in the semi-final of the women’s 100m. Sleeman had a superb run to clock a new personal best of 11.62s in the evening session getting a very powerful start out of the blocks and ultimately crossing the line in sixth place. Nigeria’s Tima Seikeseye Godbless won the race in 11.20s.
Sleeman returns to action on Day Four of the championships in the heats of the 200m. The Cork athlete goes in heat one of six at 5:50pm. The top three advance automatically to the semi-final along with the next six fastest times.
Before that Lucy McGlynn (Tír Chonaill AC) returns to the track in the 100m Hurdles. McGlynn missed out on a semi-final spot in the 400m Hurdles by just 0.01s so will be even more hungry to advance on this occasion. The Donegal woman goes in heat five of the event at 3:37pm. The first three athletes in each heat advance to the semi-final along with the next six fastest non-automatic qualifiers.
The World U20 Athletics Championships are live streamed on the World Athletics YouTube channel
