Israel Olatunde (UCD AC) stormed to a new National U23 record over 100m at the Irish Life Health National Junior and U23 Championships in Tullamore last weekend.
The Dundalk man took a further 0.02s off his previous National Record that he had set at the Morton Games in Santry earlier this month clocking a superb time of 10.24s (+1.8m/s). Olatunde moves ever closer now to Paul Hession’s Irish Record of 10.18s set back in 2007.
Toluwabori Akinola (Fingallians AC) clocked 10.30s to win the silver medal. Akinola was overjoyed when he glanced at the clock. He moves to joint fourth on the Irish senior All-Time list alongside Marcus Lawler and Leon Reid. Gabriel Kehinde (Ennis Track AC) won bronze.
Israel Olatunde reacts to National Record
“It felt really good. I felt really good in the heats, and I think I had a good run in the final,” Olatunde told the Irish Runner after the race.
“I had loads of great guys pushing me. It’s my first-time racing in Tullamore on the new surface, the last time I was here was in 2019, so I’m really happy to be back here and to run fast it feels really good. I feel in good shape, I can definitely go faster. I’ve a couple more races and hopefully the Europeans in August so just looking forward to running fast.”
Nick Griggs looked extremely impressive as he took victory in the Junior Men’s 3000m. Griggs moved to the front with 450m to go and obliterated the field from there running a sub 60s last lap clocking a time of 8.17.24. Jack Fenlon (St. Abban’s AC) finished second, while Callum Morgan (Candour Track Club) was third. Griggs and Morgan will compete at the World U20 Championships in Colombia next month in the 3000m.
Lauren Cadden (Sligo AC) backed up her national senior title over 200m by taking U23 gold in the event. Cadden ran a time of 24.42s. Lucy-May Sleeman (Leevale AC), who is also on the Irish team for the World U20 Championships won gold in the Junior 100m and 200m.
Lucy McGlynn (Tír Chonaill AC) continued her fantastic season, winning the Junior Women’s 100m Hurdles and 400m Hurdles.
In the Long Jump, Reece Ademola (Leevale AC) won gold in the Junior Men’s event, while Ruby Millet (St. Abban’s AC) won the U23 Women’s title jumping 6.62m (+3.7m/s).
Una Brice (Leevale AC) won the Junior Women’s Pole Vault clearing 3.70m. Matthew Callinan Keenan (St. Laurence O’Toole AC) took the U23 Men’s title with a best of 4.40m.
In the Hammer Throw, Nicola Tuthill (Bandon AC) threw 57.07m to take the gold medal in the Junior Women’s competition, while national senior champion Sean Mockler (Moycarkey Coolcroo AC) won the U23 Men’s title.
