Rhasidat Adeleke and Sharlene Mawdsley both advanced to the Women’s 400m semi-finals during the morning session on Day Two of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
Adeleke, who is viewed as a real medal contender in the event, cruised to victory in her heat clocking a time of 50.80.
“I’m just really excited to see how the next round goes. It’s a bit later so I get a little more of a rest and a sleep-in,” she told Irish Runner afterwards.
A dominating performance from Rhasidat Adeleke who strides home to take a comfortable win in her 400m heat
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) August 20, 2023
She finishes in 50.80 and gets an automatic qualifying spot to the Semi-Finals tomorrow evening.Rhasidat Adeleke (Tallaght AC) PB 49.20
Day 3: 400m
Semi-Final… pic.twitter.com/TlYmRX9XZk
Mawdsley’s progression came as perhaps a slight surprise especially when you consider she had raced two rounds of the Mixed 4x400m Relay the night before.
The Tipperary woman finished fourth in her heat, crossing the line in an impressive 51.17 personal best to qualify as one of the six fastest non-automatic qualifiers.
“It’s amazing. I really can’t believe what I just produced after yesterday’s performance. I just believed in myself, and I was rewarded with a PB and a spot in the semi-finals.”
Chris O’Donnell, who was also a member of the Mixed 4x400m Relay team, failed to advance in the Men’s 400m, finishing seventh in his heat in 46.76.
Kate O’Connor was in action in the Long Jump as she bids for a top ten finish in the Women’s Heptathlon.
The Dundalk athlete jumped a best of 5.74m, just shy of her season’s best.
O’Connor returns to action this afternoon in the Javelin at 12:05pm Irish Time before concluding her campaign with the 800m this evening.
Irish in Action – World Athletics Championships
Later today, Ciara Mageean, Sarah Healy and Andrew Coscoran are all in semi-final action over 1500m.
Mageean goes in heat one of the women’s event at 4:05pm, while Healy follows at 4:17pm.
Coscoran will look for a final spot when he takes to the track at 4:30pm.
The action can be watched live on Virgin Media Two.
