Donegal’s Mark English qualified for the semi-finals of the men’s 800 metres at the World Athletics Championships in Hungary on Tuesday evening – after an anxious wait during the first round heats.
English finished fourth in heat 2 in a season’s best time of 1:45.71 seconds after reacting well to being hampered in the opening 200 metres of the race.
The Finn Valley clubman then had to sit it out which the remaining heats were completed before getting through as one of the fastest qualifiers.
“I’m excited now about my chances in the semi-final. Somebody said to me coming in here that it’s my sixth world championships which is an Irish record, so I’m happy to be here.” @markenglish_ speaking with @WillDalton01. ☘️#TeamIreland #WorldAthleticsChamps #Budapest2023 pic.twitter.com/d3shHUc5SA
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) August 22, 2023
The 800 metres semi-finals take place on Thursday evening – with English drawn in the third of three semi-final heats.
His race is due off at 8:08pm Irish time.
