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Sarah Healy 10th in 1500m, Cian McPhillips and Mark English progress in 800m but Sharlene Mawdsley bows out

Updated / Tuesday, 16 Sep 2025 17:54
Sarah Healy finished 10th in a high-class 1500m final
Sarah Healy finished 10th in a high-class 1500m final

Sarah Healy finished 10th in the 1500m final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

The 24-year-old Dubliner has been in excellent form all season but only qualified for today's final after the disqualification of Italy's Marta Zenoni from her semi-final.

The pace in the final was exceptional however, as Faith Kipyegon continued her remarkable winning streak, holding off her Kenyan team-mate Dorcus Ewoi, to win in three minutes 52.15 seconds, with Australia's Jessica Hull in the bronze position.

Healy admitted to RTÉ Sport afterwards that she felt "a bit helpless" at the end of the race, but was still "proud" of what she has achieved this year.

"I raced pretty well for 1250 metres and then the last 250...I just didn't have it today," the Monkstown native remarked.

"I have my own theories why that happened but it's just definitely something to learn from because 10th is great, it's better than last year, but it's not where...I know I can race better than that. Obviously I'm still proud of the progress but I'd like to have a better day on the world final day. Next time, hopefully."

Reflecting further on her season, the European 3000m indoor gold medallist added: "I started this year out so well and it was all coming really effortlessly and obviously it's got a bit harder as the season's gone on. But I've seen glimpses of what I can do and it's a shame I didn't get to show it today, but it's still a year to be proud of for me.

"It's coming together, I think, obviously I just set a high standard for myself, particularly with how I raced at the start of the year and I don't like feeling the way I felt out there today, which is like a bit helpless. But it's been a long year and I still made a lot of progress."

Healy's time of 3:59.14 was just under two seconds outside her own personal record.

Cian McPhillips and Mark English both qualified for the semi-finals of the 800m.

The first three in each of the seven heats moved on to the penultimate stage of the event, joined by the three fastest losers, but McPhillips qualified with ease by taking his heat in 1:44.91 seconds.

Fifth at the bell, the Longford man sauntered clear of his opposition in the run for the line, seeing off Bryce Hoppel of the United States in second and Jamaica's Tyrice Taylor in third.

McPhillips' run may have surprised many, but the 23-year-old took to the blocks buoyed by a strong training block prior to the Worlds.

"I had an inkling it was coming, as training was going well," the UCD athlete told RTÉ Sport.

"I thought it went very well, a huge confidence boost when you're up against Australian and American record holders,.

"You just have to stay chilled in these things. I have made the error in the past of blowing it too early but this time I didn't panic, I just held back when guys were jostling and pushing in front of me.

"Thankfully, it all worked out. You'll be surprised how long 120 metres to go is when guys are dying.

"Hopefully I can stay fresh now and get a new PB in the semis."

English joined the 2021 European Junior Champion in the semi-finals as he finished third in his heat in 1:45.13.

Emmanuel Wanyonyi of Kenya, who is the Olympic champion at the distance, crossed the line first in English's heat, with the late surge of Italy's Francesco Pernici relegating the Letterkenny man to third in the closing stages.

English was pleased that his pre-race plan worked out, in that he was able to make his move with 300m to go, and he said: "I wanted to be in position at that point as it was relatively quick through 400 and then it opened up nicely for me.

"Emmanuel Wanyonyi is a really good calibre of athlete so it was always going to be tough to defeat him.

"It was a good race. I would have liked to have got second and got a better draw for the semi-finals but you got to go with what you've got."

After an injury-interrupted season, Sharlene Mawdsley cut little ice in the the third of three semi-finals of the 400m, flagging late on to finish eighth in 51.22.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone of the United States, who is better known for her exploits over hurdles, clocked the fastest time in the world this year in 48.29, which is the seventh fastest time in history.

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