Healy heartbreak as Mawdsley advances to World 400m Final
It was another dramatic session for Team Ireland at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow this evening, with Sarah Healy (UCD AC) bowing out of the 1500m at the semi-final stage after a heart-breaking fall in the final strides of her semi-final, while Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport AC) advanced to her first global final as an individual with a superb performance in the 400m.
Mawdsley (Newport AC) finished in 3rd place in the first of the 400m semi-finals, clocking 52.16 to book her place in tomorrow’s medal-decider. Speaking after the race Mawdsley said: “The race was so messy so to get into the final is amazing, I can’t believe it. Everyone went for the break, and I found myself a bit behind, so I made a big move on the backstraight and it paid off so I’m thrilled. I’ll have to speak to my coach Gary about tomorrow, but to have a place in the final is a dream, so I’m delighted”.
Mawdsley followed home Lieke Laver (NED) 51.18 and Talitha Diggs (USA) 51.28 who completed the top three athletes advancing from semi-final 1 to tomorrow’s final which is set for a 9pm start.
Sarah Healy suffered disappointment in her semi-final with the Irish 1500m record holder stumbling approaching the finish line having brushed shoulders with the fast-finishing Birke Hatlom of Ethiopia. Ultimately Healy, who had raced ultra-confidently up to that point, would rise to her feet to cross in 4:18.86 for 6th which was not enough to see her advance.
Speaking after the race Healy said: “I felt great, and totally in control until the last 50 meters. I don’t know exactly what happened so it’s disappointing. I think I was too impatient and wanted to get to the front. I was probably racing a bit with the Ethiopian and made a few errors throughout the race which probably cost me. I wish I could race it again and it’ll take some time to get over this because I know I’m in great shape, but I’ll definitely be back”.
The UCD athlete has enjoyed a superb start to 2024 and will look forward to an exciting outdoor season in the knowledge that global finals are well within her reach.
Irish fans will have to wait until the evening session on day 2 to cheer on the first of two Irish athletes in global finals on Saturday, with Roisin Flanagan (Finn Valley AC) set to lead the charge when she takes her place in a stacked women’s 3,000m final.
Flanagan, who is based in Colorado in the United States, recently set an Irish record over 2 Miles (9:36.70) when competing at the Millrose Games on February 11th in New York.
Her previous major track championship experience came at the 2022 European Championships in Munich where she finished 14th in the 5000m, a position that she looks well capable of bettering on Saturday.
All attention will then turn to the women’s 400m final at 9pm where Tipperary’s Sharlene Mawdsley will take on the world’s best over the two-lap final.
Team Ireland Schedule:
Saturday March 2nd
- 20.15pm Women’s 3,000m Final – Roisin Flanagan
- 21.00pm Women’s 400m Final – Sharlene Mawdsley
Sunday March 3rd
- 10.25am Women’s 60m Hurdles Heats – Sarah Lavin
- 11.38am Women’s 4x400m Relay Heats
- 19.40pm Women’s 60m Hurdles Semi-Final
- 20.30pm Women’s 4x400m Final
- 21.00pm Women’s 60m Hurdles Final
- 21.45pm Women’s 1500m Final