LAST UPDATE | 20 Mar

Updated at 20.44

IRELAND’S BORI AKINOLA has finished sixth in the semi-finals of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Poland.

The 24-year-old registered a time of 6.60, which was not enough to advance to this evening’s final at the Kujawsko-Pomorska Arena Torun.

Akinola was critical of his performance afterwards, while reflecting on a positive few months generally.

“To be honest, I’m disappointed,” he said. “I know I can do better. That was not the plan coming in here; that’s not how I felt in the warm-up. My PB would have made the final, and my goal was to make it through.

“Overall, it was a good season. I ran times I didn’t dream about at the start of the year, but the standard has gone up, and so have my expectations. I finished the indoor season healthy, and I’ve got to be grateful for that.”

USA’s Jordan Anthony won the race with a personal-best time of 6.43, while Great Britain’s Jeremiah Azu (6.45) also progressed to the final in second place.

Elsewhere, it wasn’t to be for James Gormley, as he finished ninth in the second of the Men’s 1500m heats with a time of 3:50.71.

🗣️ “This is my first international championship experience in the 1500m at senior level so I’ll learn a lot for sure. I can only try and come back better.”

James Gormley reacts after racing in the 1500m heats at the World Indoor Championships! 👏#IrishAthletics… pic.twitter.com/srx4kIr2jR

— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) March 20, 2026

Gormley, who had put himself in contention up until the final lap, said: “My plan was to get to the front and click off at a steady rhythm. I was happy with the execution up until the last lap, but when the move came, I had no legs. This is my first international championship experience in the 1500m at senior level, so I’ll learn a lot for sure. I can only try and come back better.”

Earlier, Akinola got Irish interest in the World Athletics Indoor Championships off to a positive start by securing automatic qualification from his 60m heat.

The national record holder came close to the 6.54-second mark he set last month with a 6.59 run to finish inside the top-three spots required in a race won by Jamaica’s Bryan Levell.

The UCD AC athlete got out brilliantly from the blocks and was just passed for second approaching the line by Dominik Illovskzy of Hungary.

There was a bonus in the Women’s 800m, where Maeve O’Neill was bumped up to qualify for the semi-finals. 

Making her senior international debut, the Corkonian finished just outside of the all-important top-two positions in a slow-paced heat behind Nigist Getachew of Ethiopia, clocking 2:03.20. However, a lane infringement by second-placed American Valery Tobias resulted in her disqualification. 

Emma Moore couldn’t progress from the rapid last heat, running 2:02.00 behind the fastest qualifier, Eloisa Coiro of Italy. 

Mark English eased through his Men’s 800m heat, taking a commanding position from the outset and stretching into the lead at the bell, taking first in 1:46.42 ahead of home favourite Filip Ostrowski.

Team Ireland Results Summary 

Day One – Friday March 20^th

• Bori Akinola – Men’s 60m – Heat 3/7 – 6.59 Q (3^rd)
• Maeve O’Neill – Women’s 800m – Heat 4/6 – 2:03.20 Q (2^nd)
• Emma Moore – Women’s 800m – Heat 6/6 – 2:02.00 (5^th in heat, does not advance)
• Mark English – Men’s 800m – Heat 4/6 – 1:46.42 Q (1^st) 

• James Gormley – Men’s 1500m – Heat 2/3 – 3:50.71 (9^th in heat, does not advance)
• Bori Akinola – Men’s 60m – SF 3/3 – 6.60 (6th place in SF, does not advance) 

Team Ireland Schedule: Irish Time (Local time in brackets)

Morning Session – Saturday March 21^st

• Lauren Roy – Women’s 60m – Heat 2 – 10:12 (11:12)
• Ciara Neville – Women’s 60m – Heat 5 – 10:33 (11:33)
• Maeve O’Neill – Women’s 800m – SF 1 – 11:22 (12:22)
• Mark English – Men’s 800m – SF 1 – 12:08 (13:08)

 Evening Session – Saturday March 21^st

• Andrew Coscoran – Men’s 3000m – Final – 18:22 (19:22)
• Nick Griggs – Men’s 3000m – Final – 18:22 (19:22)
• Lauren Roy – Women’s 60m – SF – 19:14 (20:14) *
• Ciara Neville – Women’s 60m – SF – 19:14 (20:14) *
• Lauren Roy – Women’s 60m – Final – 20:20 (21:20) *
• Ciara Neville – Women’s 60m – Final – 20:20 (21:20) * 

*Subject to advancing

Additional reporting by Paul Fennessy