Things are looking up for Irish athletics.
Women's 1500 mts
The Irish were in flying form in Athlone IT on Wednesday night, smashing several national and stadium records to the delight of a sold-out crowd. The atmosphere was electric as stand-out star Ciara Mageean outkicked Romanian rival Claudia Boboca in the TG4 Women’s 1500m with a tactically brilliant performance. Setting a new Irish and stadium record with a time of 4:06:78, the 26-year-old set herself up nicely for the upcoming European Championships in Glasgow.
https://twitter.com/SportTG4/status/1095771047134224384
Rising talent Sarah Healy raced valiantly running a time 4:16:98, but ultimately couldn’t catch the Irish superstar.
Men's 800mts
Also flying the flag for Ireland was Mark English, who scooped first place in the highly competitive Midlands Print Men’s 800m. The crowd watched with bated breath as English burst past Eric Sowinski (USA) on the back straight, refusing to relinquish his lead and ultimately setting a time of 1:46:92. Coming in an impressive third, Ireland’s Zak Curran posted a time of 1:47:73 - placing two Irishmen on the podium.
https://twitter.com/SportTG4/status/1095772931098062848
Men's 60mts
Asia’s fastest man SU Bingtian (CHN) certainly earned his moniker this evening, breaking the stadium record in heat 1 with a slowing up 5.54. He was closely followed by Takuya Kamakawi (JPN) in 6.57. Kyle De Escofet took the win in a slower second heat by running 6.72 and Carlow's Marcus Lawler (IRL) came second in 6.80.
Bingtian maintained his performance in the final and yet again lowered the stadium record by bringing it down to 6.52 seconds. Kamakawi came in second, posting a time of 7.58, while Confidence Lawson took third place.
Men's mile
Australia’s Ryan Gregson, who sought his third consecutive win in the AIT Men’s Mile this evening, was faced with stiff opposition in the form Marcin Lewandowski who recently broke the Polish record. He ran a rapid 3.56.41 holding off Stewart McSweyn (AUS) to win the blue riband of the sixth AIT International Grand Prix. Defending champion, Ryan Gregson came in third place, just holding off Ireland’s John Travers who chalked up yet another sub-four-minute-mile with a season-best of 3.58.48.
