Sharlene Mawdsley gets the Irish effort under way at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest this evening.
The Tipperary sprinter will line up in the first women’s 400m semi final at 6.38pm Irish time, just three days after making an impressive return from injury.
Mawdsley had been enjoying the finest season of her career before that injury struck. She lowered her personal best four times in little more than a month, running 50.52 in Savona, 50.17 in Brussels, 50.14 in Hengelo and 50.06 at the Paris Diamond League.
The 50 second barrier appeared to be only a matter of time. Her form also placed her firmly among the leading European contenders ahead of the European Championships in Birmingham.
That momentum came to a painful halt at the National Championships, where Mawdsley suffered a hamstring tear. She fought to recover in time for Birmingham but was ultimately forced to withdraw, ending any hopes of competing for an individual medal.
Her return finally came in Rovereto on Tuesday evening. Mawdsley won the 400m in 50.58 seconds, a seriously respectable performance for her first race since the injury.
A Tough Semi Final Draw
Budapest offers Mawdsley no easy return to championship racing this evening.
She has been drawn in lane three alongside Olympic champion Marileidy Paulino, former world champion Salwa Eid Naser and Jamaica’s Nickisha Pryce.
The heat also contains Ella Onojuvwevwo, Roxana Gómez, Yemi Mary John and Alexis Holmes.
Only the first four athletes will advance to Saturday’s final, with no places available through fastest times.
She may need to get close to her 50.06 personal best, or perhaps improve it, to progress. Given that she only returned to competition on Tuesday, reaching the final would be a major result.
Should Mawdsley finish inside the top four, she will return for the final at 5.08pm on Saturday.
World Athletics Ultimate Championship
⏰ 6.38pm - Sharlene Mawdsley - Women’s 400m - Semi Final 1
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📺 TV Coverage: BBC2 6pm - 9pm
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We wish Sharlene Mawdsley the very best as she competes in Budapest this evening.
