AKINOLA BOWS OUT AT WORLD SEMI-FINAL STAGE

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AKINOLA BOWS OUT AT WORLD SEMI-FINAL STAGE

20 March 2026

Bori Akinola (UCD AC) bowed out of the World Athletics Championships at the semi-final stage this evening, finishing sixth in his 60m semi-final in a time of 6.60 seconds, which was not enough to see him progress to this evening’s final (March 20th).

Speaking after his race, the UCD sprinter acknowledged his disappointment but also reflected on how the indoor season has marked a significant step forward for him. He said: “To be honest, I’m disappointed. I know I can do better. That was not the plan coming in here; that’s not how I felt in the warm-up. My PB would have made the final, and my goal was to make it through.”

Akinola had clocked 6.59 seconds in this morning’s heats, with this evening’s performance rounding out a hugely impressive championship campaign as he now looks ahead to what promises to be an exciting outdoor season.

He continued: “Overall, it was a good season. I ran times I didn’t dream about at the start of the year, but the standard has gone up and so have my expectations. I finished the indoor season healthy, and I’ve got to be grateful for that.”

Earlier in the session, James Gormley (Carmen Runners) competed in the men’s 1500m heats, finishing ninth in his heat in a time of 3:50.71, which was not enough to progress.

Speaking after the race, Gormley – who had put himself in contention up until the final lap, said: “My plan was to get to the front and click off at a steady rhythm. I was happy with the execution up until the last lap, but when the move came, I had no legs. This is my first international championship experience in the 1500m at senior level, so I’ll learn a lot for sure. I can only try and come back better.”

Tomorrow morning will once again see the sprinters lead off proceedings for Team Ireland, with Lauren Roy (Fast Twitch AC) and Ciara Neville (Emerald AC) set to take to the 60m blocks from 10:05am Irish time.

Roy has been in sparkling form this season, recently recording a personal best of 7.19 seconds to move joint second on the Irish all-time list for the event. It is likely she will have to go even faster if she is to secure one of the top three automatic qualifying places in the second of tomorrow’s 60m heats (10:12am).

Neville, meanwhile, has lowered her personal best on three occasions this season and will have her sights set on repeating the feat in a stacked fifth heat (10:33am). The women’s 60m semi-finals and final are scheduled for tomorrow afternoon.

Rounding out tomorrow’s morning session for Team Ireland will be the semi-finals of the women’s and men’s 800m. Maeve O’Neill (Doheny AC) looked at home on the world stage in today’s heats, and another bold showing can be expected in her semi-final, set for an 11:22am start.

Mark English (Finn Valley AC) cruised through his heat of the men’s 800m in 1:46.42 and will head into tomorrow’s semi-final full of confidence as he goes in search of his first world final (12:08pm).

The evening session will see the first of the Irish finalists in action this weekend, with Andrew Coscoran (Star of the Sea AC) and Nick Griggs (Candour Track Club) both heading into the 3000m final with strong rankings. The duo will line up in the 15-man final at 6:22pm Irish time.

Team Ireland Results Summary

Day One – Friday March 20^th

Bori Akinola – Men’s 60m – Heat 3/7 – 6.59 Q (3^rd)
Maeve O’Neill – Women’s 800m – Heat 4/6 – 2:03.20 Q (2^nd)
Emma Moore – Women’s 800m – Heat 6/6 – 2:02.00 (5^th in heat, does not advance)
Mark English – Men’s 800m – Heat 4/6 – 1:46.42 Q (1^st)

James Gormley – Men’s 1500m – Heat 2/3 – 3:50.71 (9^th in heat, does not advance)
Bori Akinola – Men’s 60m – SF 3/3 – 6.60 (6th place in SF, does not advance)

Team Ireland Schedule: Irish Time (Local time in brackets)

Morning Session – Saturday March 21^st