Sophie Becker helped Ireland to the World Championship women’s 4x400m relay final in Budapest.
The team of Becker, Roisin Harrison (Emerald A.C.), Kelly McGrory (Tir Chonaill A.C.) and Sharlene Mawdsley (Newport A.C.) finished fourth in Saturday’s second heats.
Thus, securing one of the fastest non-automatic qualifier places with a time of 3:26.18 SB which was just 0.12 off the national record.
Sharene Mawdsley unleashed a 50.01 second anchor leg to secure the team’s place in the medal decider. The team had finished fifth overall, but the disqualification of the USA, which upgraded Ireland to fourth.
Mawdsley’s anchor was the fastest of all final leg athletes in the second heat.
“I’m speechless” declared Becker afterwards. “To be so close to a national record is just amazing. We were realistically hoping for a low 3:27 so I’m so proud of all the girls”.
“We’ll look to come out and run fast again tomorrow” added Becker, “anything can happen. The USA are out and who’s to say what can happen in a world final”.
“We’re going to recover and come back to do it again. We love competing together and we’ll give it our all for Ireland”.
The team 4x400m final on Sunday at 8.50pm Irish time.
