Updated 16.35
MARK ENGLISH NARROWLY missed out on a place in the men’s 800m semi-finals on day one at the World Athletics Championships in Moscow.
The Letterkenny youngster stormed home to finish fourth in his heat this morning, losing out to Samir Jamma of Morocco for the final automatic qualification spot.
His time of 1:47.08 briefly left him in contention for a place as one of the fastest losers but ultimately was not good enough.
“I’m gutted today but there are positives to take away too,” English said afterwards. “Maybe I left it a little too late but I finished well, and I felt super down the home straight.
I was nervous but that is normal unless you’re Usain Bolt. What’s done is done here but I am going to move on. I am ambitious and I’m going to target the 800m European Championships next summer where I think I can medal if I can keep improving.
Ireland’s other 800m contender Paul Robinson was also eliminated after he finished sixth in his heat in a time of 1:48.61.
“It’s a different ball game at this level,” Robinson admitted. “It’s a good eye opener.
I may have gone off a little too conservatively and you can’t let them get away from you at this level. I have made a breakthrough at 800m this season which I’m happy with but I have lots of work to do to mix it with the very best in the world.
With defending world and Olympic champion David Rudisha missing through injury, Mohammed Aman of Ethiopia justified his favouritism for the middle-distance crown. The World Indoor Champion set the best time of 1:44.93, leading home Ferguson Chreruiyot and Michael Rimmer in the morning’s fastest heat.
There was also disappointment for Maria McCambridge who lined up for the women’s marathon 12 years on from her World Championship debut in Alberta, Canada. The Dundrum South Dublin runner settled in 46th place at the five-kilometre mark but was forced to withdraw with an injury shortly after the 7km mark and did not finish.
Ethiopia’s Edna Kiplagat went on to win in 2:25:44, becoming the first woman ever to defend her world marathon title.
In the women’s 400m Jennifer Carey finished fifth in her heat in a time of 52.62. It was the second-fastest time of her career to date but not enough to see the 23-year-old through to the semi-finals.
Ireland’s interest continues when 400m hopeful Brian Gregan begins his championships tomorrow morning while Tori Pena will also be in action in the women’s pole vault qualifiers.
– Originally published 13.58
