Sharlene Mawdsley has wasted no time reminding the athletics world of her quality after making a winning return to competition in Italy.
The Irish sprinter produced an impressive performance at the Palio Città della Quercia meeting in Rovereto, securing victory in the women’s 400m in her first race since injury interrupted her summer campaign.
Sharlene had been forced to step away from racing after picking up a hamstring tear during the 200m final at the National Championships in Santry in July. The setback also ruled her out of the European Championships in Birmingham, leaving her with limited preparation ahead of the final stages of the season.
However, there were no obvious signs of rust on her return. Racing from lane four, the Newport AC athlete stayed composed before delivering a powerful finish to take control of the race in the closing metres.
Her winning time of 50.58 seconds saw her finish ahead of Britain’s Charlotte Henrich, who clocked 50.70, while American Paris Peoples claimed third place in 51.09.
The victory provides Sharlene with valuable momentum heading into the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest this weekend, where she will compete against an elite international field.
The inaugural championship will feature three nights of action and offers the biggest prize purse in track and field history, with $10 million available across the programme. Event winners will collect $150,000, while every competitor will receive prize money.
Sharlene will enter the women’s 400m as the 13th-ranked athlete among the 16 invited competitors, but her return performance suggests she will not be travelling to Budapest simply to make up the numbers. She will be part of a strong Irish presence at the event, with European Championships medallists Mark English and Rhasidat Adeleke also selected.
After a frustrating period on the sidelines, this victory in Rovereto has delivered the ideal confidence boost as she prepares to take on the world’s best once again.
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Photo : Sportsfile
