All eyes on Rhasidat ahead of World Championships

ALL eyes will be focused on the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Budapest which run from August 19 to August 27.

The Irish squad is the largest ever selected for a World Athletics Championships and will see the strong team take to competition alongside over 2,000 athletes from 200 countries at the brand new 35,000 capacity National Athletics Stadium in Budapest.

Tallaght Athletics Club member Rhasidat Adeleke takes to her second World Championships having broken her own Irish 400m with a 49.20 in June to claim gold at the NCAA Championships, becoming the first Irish sprinter ever to win an NCAA title.

Much expectation has been put on the shoulders of the 20-year-old Tallaght sprinter, and while her appearance at Oregon 2022 is sure to stand to her at this year’s championships, the women’s 400m looks one of the hottest events in world athletics at present.

The Irish relay teams have enjoyed tremendous success in global competition over the past two years, and the women’s 4x400m team looks particularly strong with Rhasidat Adeleke (Tallaght AC), Sophie Becker (Raheny Shamrock), Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport AC), Cliodhna Manning (Kilkenny City Harriers), Roisin Harrison (Emerald AC), and Kelly McGrory (Tir Chonaill) all selected.

Speaking at today’s team announcement, Athletics Ireland Director of High Performance, Paul McNamara said: “With 16 individual athletes selected, and the potential for further additions in the coming days, plus two relay squads, this is the largest team we have sent to a World Championships, despite the higher qualification standards than any previous edition of this championships, and with 8 athletes inside the A standard.

“This team includes multiple athletes, both seasoned campaigners and rising stars, that are primed to make an impact, building further on the upward trajectory seen in Oregon and Munich in 2022”.

Donore Harriers Jack Raftery will also be in action in the 4×400.

For full access to all content on Echo.ie and to support the continuation of local news and local journalism in your community subscribe HERE.

Thanks for your ongoing support.