Sophie Becker helped the Irish 4x400m women’s relay team to fifth at the World Indoor championships in Glasgow.
The Irish team of Phil Healy, Becker, Roisin Harrison and Mawdsley posted 3:28.92 for fifth place behind, Netherlands, USA, Great Britain and Belgium.
“It’s a testament to the squad we have” said Phil Healy afterward. “We’ve great subs back in warm up and the team is constantly changing which drives everyone on”.
“It’s a big year for us, we have World Relays in a few weeks, a European Championships and an Olympic Games” (subject to qualification).
“So to come fifth in the world and to be so close to the national record again is really super for this team.” The team having made the final by breaking the national record in 3:28.45 in the morning semi-final.
Tonight’s final appearance see’s the team continue a finals run at the 2022 European Championships, 2023 World Championships and 2024 World Indoors.
“I never felt pain like that before, I left everything on the track out there” said Sharlene Mawdsley.
“We have a great group of girls involved in the relay squad now and Irish athletics in general is in such a great place, so I think a lot of other teams are going to be watching out for Ireland at future championships”.
