Mawdsley targeting medals after reaching another World Final

By Shane Brophy

Sharlene Mawdsley is targeting medals after completing a hugely busy and successful World Athletics Championships in Budapest last weekend.

After finishing sixth in the 4x400m mixed relay final and running a new personal best to reach the semi-finals of the individual 400metres the previous weekend, the Newport athlete was back on the track for the fifth time in the Hungarian capital last Saturday night as part of the Ireland 4x400m women’s relay team, along with Sophie Becker, Roisin Harrison, and Kelly McGrory, with rising star Rhasidat Adeleke opting not to

compete.

In a tough semi-final, they crossed the line in a time of 3:26.18, which was just 0.12 off the national record, but was quick enough to reach Sunday’s final. Mawdsley again ran a cracking anchor leg with another incredible split of 50.01.

Sharene Mawdsley and her teammates took to the track for her sixth 400m race of the week in Sunday’s final where she again ran an excellent final leg to finish eighth of nine in a time of 3:27.08.

Following the race, Sharlene Mawdsley spoke of her pride in the performance.

“I’m so proud of this team,” she said.

“We ran our hearts out over the last two days, and we’ve finished with a top eight finish.

“We are going to take a lot of confidence. The Europeans next year will be the first major championships and I am hoping we can go home with a lot of medals, not just a few.

“I hope we go in, like Ireland is here to take over, it is about time.

“The relay has put ourselves on the map, the mixed and the women’s, we are all stepping up, but we need medals from now on.”