Name: Sarah Healy
Club: UCD AC
Event: 1,500m
Personal Best: 3:57.15
Tokyo Schedule: Sat 13 September 11:50am (Heats), Sun 14th September 13:05pm (Semi-Final), with the Final Scheduled for Tue 16th September at 14:05pm
TOKYO UPDATE
Sarah Healy did not disappoint in this mornings heats of the 1500m. The UCD athlete has benefited from extensive racing this year, learning what strategy works, making mistakes and then making sure to not make them again. Healy looked at ease for the entire race and managed her now trademark surge as she moved through the final few meters to the line. It is this action that has moved her into podium position so many times this year. Its an important move that may prove a useful asset to her in the semi-finals tomorrow and hopefully for the finals later in the week too. There is a new-found confidence to Healy's running this year and looking at her run in heat 4 of this mornings 1500m, one gets an insight into that. Sticking to the top six, not panicking as she lingers at the end of those positions coming down the home straight. And then that final fast surge, something she now knows she can produce. This is a different Sarah Healy that we are seeing this year. Sarah finished 3rd in her heat and 8th overall. We look forward to seeing her in her semi-final at 1.05pm tomorrow.
Semi-final: There was lots of drama in the semi-final of the 1500m for Sarah Healy. Initially finishing 7th, the disappointed Dubliner looked like her dream of making a world championship final had been dashed. There was however a late reprieve for Healy as Marata Zenoni was disqualified for an infringement, bumping Healy up to 6th and thus securing one of the automatic qualifying sports. The final will take place on Tuesday 16th September.
Final: It was 10th place in the World for Sarah Healy as rounded off her Tokyo World Championship experience today. The UCD AC athlete remained mid pack around 8th to 9th for most of the race - briefly moving into 7th place with 200m to go, before dropping a few places and then moving up to 10th. Healy has had a fantastic and long season, with that memorable European Indoor 3000m win in her bag. No doubt she will analyse todays race with her coaches and come back stronger next year. First world championship final outdoors.
Background
Currently coached by Trevor Painter and Jenny Meadows of the M11 Track Club, the University College Dublin graduate had an outstanding juvenile career before exploding onto the international scene. She won every Cross-Country Schools age group and has accumulated multiple national track and cross-country titles as a juvenile - all while under the tutelage of Eoghan Marnell (Blackrock AC, Dublin).
Her international career is not to be balked at either. Gold at the EYOF over 1500m, gold and silver at the European u18s, along with silver at the European u20 and 23s. Sarah holds two National records (the indoors 1500m and 3000m). The jewel in her crown (thus far) has been winning the 3000m at the European Championships earlier this year. Since then, she has topped the Diamond League tables as well as winning a Diamond League title in Rome.
At senior level, Healy has competed in two Olympic Games, two European Track and Field Championships, two World Indoors and one European Indoors. Tokyo will be her third World Championship appearance.
