It was a dramatic day two at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo for Team Ireland with highlights including Efrem Gidey’s top-20 placing in the men’s 10,000m which was preceded by Sarah Healy’s qualification for Tuesday’s 1500m final.
Gidey (Clonliffe Harriers) battled hot and humid conditions to cross in 19th place in the men’s 10,000m final in a time of 29:30.37. The Clonliffe athlete stayed with the leading pack up until the 8,000m mark when an injection of pace saw him drift back through the field.
The medals went the way of Jimmy Gressier (Fra) 28:55.77, Yomif Kejelcha (Eth) 28:55.83, and Andreas Almgren (Swe) 28:56.02.
Sarah Healy (UCD AC) secured her place in Tuesday’s 1500m final in dramatic fashion with the European indoor champion initially being awarded seventh place in 4:08.78, with only the leading six athletes from each semi-final progressing. The UCD athlete was right in contention with 400 meters to go but lost all her momentum when clipped as the sprint for home got underway at the bell.
Healy would subsequently be awarded sixth and a place in the final on the back of the disqualification of Italy’s Marta Zenoni*. Tuesday’s 1500m final is set for 2.05pm Irish time.
Sophie O’Sullivan (Ballymore Cobh AC) was also in action in the 1500m semi-finals, rounding out a hugely positive championship to finish 12th in her race. The Ballymore Cobh athlete endured a tough outing on the back of her four-second season’s best in yesterday’s heats, crossing in 4:18.18 which was not enough to progress.
Sharlene Mawdsley safely secured her place in the semi-finals of the 400m. The Newport AC athlete finished fourth in her heat to progress as a fastest non-automatic qualifier in a time of 51.04q. Mawdsley will be back for the semi-final on Tuesday afternoon (1.05pm).
It was sixth place for Sophie Becker in the final of the 400m heats with the Raheny athlete missing out on progressing to the semi-finals on the back of her 52.19. Becker will now turn attention to the women’s 4x400m relay on Saturday.
Day three promises to be a big day for the Irish in Tokyo with Peter Lynch and Hiko Tonosa leading the charge in the men’s marathon in the early hours of Monday morning. Lynch and Tonosa hold the top two spots on Ireland’s all-time marathon list and there is sure to be little to separate them once more as they navigate the 26.2 miles through the streets of Tokyo.
Nicola Tuthill will be back in action in the hammer final, while Sarah Lavin will return to the blocks for the semi-final of a stacked women’s 100m hurdles. Andrew Coscroan will look to make it back-to-back global finals in the semi final of the men’s 1500m following his sixth place at the World indoors (3000m) back in March.
Team Ireland Results Summary
Day Two – Evenings Session – Sunday September 14th
- Sharlene Mawdsley – Women’s 400m – Heat 3 – 4th in 51.04q
- Sophie Becker – Women’s 400m – Heat 6 – 6th in 52.19 (37th overall)
- Sophie O’Sullivan – Women’s 1500m – SF 1 – 12th in 4:18.18 (22nd overall)
- Sarah Healy – Women’s 1500m – SF 2 – 6th in 4:08.78Q
- Efrem Gidey – Men’s 10,000m – Final – 19th overall in 29:30.37
*Italian appeal pending at time of release
Team Ireland Schedule: Irish Time (Local time in brackets)
Day Three – Morning Session – Monday September 15th
- Peter Lynch – Men’s Marathon – Final – 23:30 (07:30)
- Hiko Tonosa – Men’s Marathon – Final – 23:30 (07:30)
Day Three – Evening Session – Monday September 15th
- Nicola Tuthill – Women’s Hammer Throw – Final – 13:00 (21:00)
- Sarah Lavin – Women’s 100m Hurdles – SF 1 – 13:05 (21:05)
- Andrew Coscoran – Men’s 1500m – SF 1 – 13:30 (21:30)
- Sarah Lavin – Women’s 100m Hurdles – Final – 14:20 (22:20) *
Where to watch
RTÉ Sport will bring you comprehensive live coverage across the 4 days. See RTÉ listings for details.
- Results are HERE
- Interviews available on Athletics Ireland social media channels
