Sophie O’Sullivan clocked 1:59.23 for second place at the Flutlichtmeeting in Trier last night, with only Jamaica’s Kelly Ann Beckford finishing ahead of the 24 year old.
It was the second fastest 800m of O’Sullivan’s career and came just three days after she set a personal best of 1:58.60 in Brescia. That performance moved her to second on the Irish all time list and within 0.09 seconds of Ciara Mageean’s national record.
O’Sullivan has now broken two minutes in each of her last three races over the distance. The sequence began with a 1:59.65 victory at St Mary’s University in Twickenham on August 9th, followed by her personal best in Brescia and Wednesday night’s second place finish in Trier.
Nicholson and Fay in Trier
Laura Nicholson finished seventh in the same 800m race, crossing the line in 2:03.39.
Brian Fay was also in action at the German meeting. The Irish 5000m record holder contested the men’s 1500m B race and recorded a time of 3:40.08.
Cathal Doyle produced a season best of 3:33.40 to finish sixth in the men’s 1500m A race, continuing his strong run of form following last month’s European Championships in Birmingham.
Favors Takes Fourth in Belgrade
Earlier in the day at the Serbia Athletics Meeting in Belgrade, Eric Favors produced a best throw of 19.65m to finish fourth in the men’s shot put.
The Irish record holder was returning to competition after placing 10th at last month’s European Athletics Championships in Birmingham.
Neville and Akinola Collect Ranking Points
Ciara Neville finished seventh overall in the women’s 100m, recording 11.44 seconds with a following wind of 0.8 metres per second.
Bori Akinola placed 10th overall in the men’s 100m after stopping the clock at 10.26 seconds. His race was assisted by a following wind of 0.5 metres per second.
O’Sullivan’s third consecutive sub two performance was the leading Irish result from Wednesday’s action in Germany and Serbia.
