Mixed emotions for Mawdsley at European Indoors
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Owen Fanning, Tipperary AthleticS Cairperson, making a special presentation accepted by Fr Bobby Fletcher, P.P. on behalf of Sharlene Mawdsley who was AT the European Indoor Championships at the Tipperary Star Awards. PHOTO: MARTIN RYAN PicasaImage 2 of 2
National Indoor champion Sharlene Mawdsley was unable to compete in the individual 400m at the European Champioships after suffering a minor hamstring relay in the Mixed Relay. Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile Sam Barnes / SPORTSFILEBy Shane Brophy
Sharlene Mawdsley admitted it was "devastating" not to be able to show her personal best form after a hamstring injury forced her withdrawal from the individual 400-metres the European Indoor Championships in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands last week.
The Newport sprinter had run an impressive final leg as Ireland finished fifth in the 4x400 mixed relay on Thursday, but she was unable to take her place on the start line for the heats of the individual 400m on Friday morning with a hamstring issue.
"I was in my warm-up this morning and my hamstring just kept getting worse and worse," Mawdsley said to RTÉ Sport's David Gillick.
"I was not even in my spikes; I was still striding in my runners. And it was too sore.
"It just wasn't meant to be today which is obviously really devastating.
“After last night, I had so much confidence. It's not often I would back myself to think I could make the final and I really believed I could. It's hard."
Mawdsley was also unable to compete in the women’s 4x400m relay, and with the World Outdoor Championships in Tokyo in the autumn the priority for this year, Mawdsley was wary of doing anything that cause further damage to her hamstring.
"My hamstring was a bit tight yesterday (Thursday),” Mawdsley revealed.
“I had physio just before I went into the call room and that settled it. I felt really good yesterday after (that) and this morning as well. But it just persisted in the warm-up today.
“If I went onto the track, it would have gotten worse and worse, and I didn't want to tear it completely. I'll have to wait for an MRI and an ultrasound to see what the actual damage is.
"September was always the focus for us. We never really put an emphasis on indoors but when you are in good shape, you want to show the world.
"At least I got to do it a little bit yesterday. My split time was really fast and showed I was definitely in PB shape. It's just devastating not to be able to show that today (Friday)."