Mawdsley turns to relays after individual exit

By Thomas Conway

Newport athlete Sharlene Mawdsley recorded a time of 52.63 to finish sixth in the heats of the 400 metres last Monday in Munich.

Just minutes after her Irish teammate Phil Healy had clocked a disappointing time of 53.10 in the same event, both athletes failed to progress to the semi-finals, and while it was Healy’s underwhelming performance which captured most attention amongst Irish viewers, Mawdsley’s display showed signs of future potential.

The 24-year-old has recently transitioned to the 400 metres, having previously specialised in the 200 metre event. Following the withdrawal last week of another Irish athlete, Sophie Becker, Mawdsley was a late addition to the individual 400m, though she was always set to compete in the women’s 4x400 metre relay, which begin on Friday at 10:40am Irish time.

Speaking to RTÉ in the aftermath of Monday’s race, Mawdsley expressed clear frustration at her performance, stating that she was “a better athlete than 52.6.”

However, her inclusion in the event was unequivocally a bonus, and should provide her with more invaluable top-level experience.

In July 2021, she clocked a time of 51.70 in the Netherlands, just weeks after she had failed to receive selection for Ireland’s Mixed 4x400 metre Olympic relay team.

That time would have been sufficient to qualify from Monday’s heat, indicating that the Newport runner, who trains in the University of Limerick under coach Gary Moran, does have the capability to challenge for honours at the elite level.

Mawdsley will reflect on her display over the coming weeks, but for now her immediate focus will shift to the women’s 4x400 metre relay. A strong Irish performance is anticipated in that event, in which Mawdsley will share the baton with Phil Healy, Rhasidat Adeleke, and Cliodhna Manning.