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Ireland’s Cian McPhillips celebrates winning his men’s 800m heat during day four of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
Kenya’s Emmanuel Wanyonyi crosses the finish line to win his 800m heat ahead of Italy’s Francesco Pernici and Ireland’s Mark English. Photo: Reuters/Sarah Meyssonnier
Mark English and Cian McPhillips produced superb performances to advance to the 800m semi-finals at the World Championships in Tokyo on Tuesday evening, with McPhillips having the run of his life to win his heat in 1:44.91 and English taking third in his in 1:45.13.
English, the five-time European medallist, had high hopes of reaching his first global final and the Donegal man utilised his vast experience to navigate a tricky heat, won by Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi in 1:45.05, with Italy’s Francesco Pernici second in 1:45.11.
“It was a bit of a funny heat because there was a lot of surging at about 300m to 500m which you don’t usually see in 800m racing, so it was tough with that aspect,” said English.
“Thankfully I made a move from 500m to 600m and got into position and held on for third. I’m looking forward to Thursday now, it’ll be a good competition but I’m ready for anyone in that stifling heat out there.”
McPhillips, meanwhile, pulled off a massive upset to win his heat against some of the event’s heavy hitters, the Longford native powering to victory with a huge kick ahead of USA’s Bryce Hoppel (1:45.09) and Tyrice Taylor (1:45.13).
“I’m delighted with that,” he said.
“A lot of hard work went into that; I’ve a great team behind me who made all the right decisions to get me here. Thankfully I could execute the plan and get the job done.
“The semi-final will be the best quality race I’ve ever been in by a million miles, top two to qualify is pretty ruthless in the 800m. It’ll be a quick race, I’ll try do what I did there, throw myself in the mix and see what happens,” he added.
Sharlene Mawdsley is also in action in the 400m semi-finals at 1.23pm, while Sarah Healy will race the 1500m final at 2.05pm.