Sarah Lavin has broken Derval O'Rourke's 13-year old Irish Record in the 100m hurdles with a time of 12.62 on Wednesday, August 23.
The race was bittersweet for Lavin, as she missed on qualifying for the final by placing fifth in her semi-final but set a lifetime best and a new national record. She had "dreamt of getting that national record" since she was little, Lavin said in a post race interview with Virgin Media Sport.
"It was a brilliant race and the best by any Irish person ever (in the event)," said Lavin, "I’m sorry Derval, but you did make me work bloody tough for it!”
Lavin's success comes during a challenging year for her. In April her boyfriend, Irish Irish rally driver, Craig Breen, died in a car accident.
"I love Craig dearly, I love his family dearly, and I miss him every day, I'm completely heartbroken. Craig was my partner, we were together for a while," Lavin said at the European Games, at the end of June.
"Particularly Jackie and Ray (Breen) at home, we did it!" said Lavin in her Post Race Interview. The message was directed at her late partners parents.
𝗦𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗵 𝗟𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝘀 𝗮 𝟭𝟮.𝟲𝟮 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱! 🔥
A phenomenal performance and achievement for Sarah! 👏@DervalORourke set that bar so high!!💚
pic.twitter.com/p0b3cOSIpU— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) August 23, 2023
Rhasidat Adeleke has finished fourth in the world in the 400m final at 20-years old, on Wednesday, August 23.
In her first senior championship global final, Adeleke ran a 50.13. She finished behind Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic, Natalia Kaczmarek of Poland, and Sada Williams of Barbados.
“At the end of the day I gave it all I had and you know that’s my goals long as I give it 100% I can’t complain,” said Adeleke in her post game interview with Virgin Media Sport.
Adeleke said she would continue to work on the 400m, as she looks toward qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics. “This is what I love to do,” said Adeleke.
