Rhasidat Adeleke took another step toward possibly a medal when she eased her way into the women’s 400m final on Wednesday night.
Drawn in the favourable lane six (lane one was not used) in Monday night's semi-final, the Tallaght sprinter was quick into her stride and had caught Paola Moran of Mexico on her outside by the end of the backstraight.
Adeleke came off the final bend in third place but overhauled Belgium’s Cynthia Bolingo to snap up the second and automatic qualification spot behind Marileidy Paulino.
Adeleke’s time was 49.87 while the Dominican Republican athlete recorded 49.54, the second fastest of the three semi-finals.
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️ “It’s amazing to make a global final. I’m proud of myself.”
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) August 21, 2023
Rhasidat Adeleke reacts after qualifying for the final of the Women’s 400m at the World Championships in Budapest #IrishAthletics #Budapest2023 @Ask123ie pic.twitter.com/RzkleQi4Wa
Despite running her fourth 400m in three days, Sharlene Mawdsley put up a more than credible performance to finish seventh in the second semi-final with a 51.78 timing, marginally slower than her personal best 51.17 set in the first round heat.
The Tipp woman is not finished yet and will have the heats of the 4x400m on Saturday evening.
