Latest news with #EuropeanU-23Championships
Irish Examiner
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Nick Griggs wins Ireland's third medal at European U-23 Championships
Nick Griggs has won a third medal for Ireland at the European U-23 Championships in Bergen, Norway, the 20-year-old Tyrone athlete claiming silver over 5000m on Saturday evening in 13:45.80. On Friday, Anika Thompson struck gold for Ireland over 10,000m and Nicola Tuthill added silver in the hammer throw. Having won silver and gold at European U-20 level in the past, Griggs was a marked man as he lined up for the 5000m final and he took the pace out from the gun, passing 3000m in 8:28. Having missed several months of training earlier in the year due to an infection in his knee, Griggs' bounced back to form in impressive fashion last month with a 3:55 mile in Belfast before lowering the Irish U-23 record to 3:52.42 in Dublin last week. In Bergen, he wanted to make it a stern test for his rivals. 'We walked out the first few hundred so I was like, 'let me just take this out,'' he said. 'I was risking losing the medal to go and get to win, but I wanted to do that.' Griggs was the fastest Irish U-20 athlete in history at 1500m, the mile, 3000m and 5000m and he currently holds all the Irish U-23 records over the same distances. While he built a short lead early in the 5000m final, his rivals were keen not to give too much leeway, with the overwhelming favourite, Dutch star Niels Laros, towing them back to catch Griggs. Laros recently ran a 3:45 mile to win at the Eugene Diamond League and with wheels like that, the gold was all but secured once he took the lead with a lap to run, winding the pace up and unleashing a 12.1-second last 100m to win in 13:44.74. Griggs utilised his vast range of gears to hold off a large chasing pack to take silver, with Will Barnicoat – who had beaten Griggs to U-23 gold at the European Cross Country last December – taking bronze with 13:46.11. 'I've got mixed feelings,' said Griggs. 'After the year I had, to come out and get silver is not bad. I've only been doing sessions for probably two months. "I'm still early in my season, and hopefully there's a lot more to come in August and September.'
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Anika Thompson strikes gold as Nicola Tuthill wins silver at European U-23 Championships
It was a dream second day for the Irish at the European U-23 Championships in Bergen, Norway on Friday, with Anika Thompson striking gold over 10,000m and Nicola Tuthill winning silver in the hammer throw. Thompson, a student at the University of Oregon, turned in a superb performance in the 25-lap event, breaking her Irish U-23 record by 23 seconds and hitting the line in 32:31.47, with Germany's Kira Weis (32:36.52) and Carolina Schafer (33:04.43) following her home. 'I'm overjoyed,' said Thompson. 'Track and field is a sport of process and hard work and every day, I gave 100% for moments like this. I'm so grateful for all my family, friends and coaches who support me. The plan was to feel it out, go by instincts. I trusted my gut and I knew I had every tactic in the bag.' Thompson played a patient game in the race, tracking Weis as the leader hit halfway in 16:16, with Thompson surging to the front with just over two laps to run. She cranked up the pace soon after and broke clear on the final lap, becoming just the second Irish gold medallist in the 28-year history of the championships after Sophie O'Sullivan in 2023. Thompson was raised in Oregon but qualifies to represent Ireland through her Cork grandparents, competing for Leevale AC in national events. The 22-year-old had finished 11th in the same race two years ago and it was a special kind of pride getting to stand atop the podium and hear Amhrán na bhFiann. 'I live in the United States but my whole family is in Ireland,' she said. 'I grew up going to Ireland every summer and it was a dream of mine to represent Ireland. So this really means a lot to me. My grandad (Dan Joe Kelleher) passed away last fall, my Granny Maria is over there from Cork and it is such an honour – I'm so grateful for her support. I grew up watching Sonia O'Sullivan, Ciara Mageean, Donie Walsh. It was always a dream of mine to represent Ireland at European Championships and hopefully others in the future.' It was the 12th Irish medal in the 15 editions of the championships to date and soon after, Tuthill earned number 13, winning silver in the hammer – the first ever medal for Ireland at this grade in a field event. The 21-year-old Cork athlete launched her leading throw of 70.90m in the fourth round, but had to settle for second behind Germany's Aileen Kuhn, who threw a PB of 72.53m. Bronze went to Valentina Savva of Cyprus with a national record of 70.22m. 'I'm delighted, second was where I was ranked and that's where I came,' said Tuthill. 'I'm always looking for a little bit more but these medals are so hard to come by so I'm delighted to get one. 'I'm not overly happy with my series of throws, I know there's more in me, but it's still another throw over 70 and in a major championship like this, where there's nerves and everything that comes with it, I'm delighted.' The UCD student became an Olympian in Paris last year and last month, she broke her own Irish U-23 record with 71.71m in Finland – behind only Eileen O'Keeffe's 73.21m on the Irish senior all-time list. She will be back in action next week at the World University Games in Germany. On Saturday, the leading Irish medal hope in Bergen is Nick Griggs, who races the 5000m final at 5.30pm Irish time. However, the Tyrone athlete will come up against Dutch star Niels Laros, who should cruise to victory having run a 3:45.94 mile to win in Eugene recently. Meanwhile, there will be strong Irish interest at the London Diamond League with Rhasidat Adeleke, Sarah Healy and Mark English all competing. Adeleke will hope to ignite her season after some sub-par outings over 400m in recent weeks, the Dubliner dropping down to 200m where the big favourite is her training partner, the Olympic 100m champion Julien Alfred. Adeleke is the Irish 200m record holder via the 22.34 she ran in 2023, while her season's best is the 22.57 she ran in Florida back in April. Healy has been enjoying the best season of her career and she will have Ciara Mageean's national record of 4:14.58 in her sights when she lines up in the women's mile, where Olympic medallists Jess Hull of Australia and Gudaf Tsegay of Ethiopia are the favourites. English will face a red-hot field in the 800m, the Donegal man enjoying a breakthrough season at the age of 32, having dipped under 1:44 for the first time when setting the national record of 1:43.92 to win in Hengelo last month. After a 1:43.98 clocking in Paris in his last outing four weeks ago, he has put in a block of altitude training and will be eyeing another Irish record in a field that includes Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi and previous world champions Marco Arop and Donavan Brazier. Ireland will also have a team in the women's 4x100m, where the national record of 43.80, set at the 2018 Europeans in Berlin, could be under threat. London Diamond League: Live: BBC One, 1.15pm; Virgin Media Two, 2pm
Irish Independent
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Nicola Tuthill throws career second, and Reece Ademola ‘delighted' with long jump display at Cork City Sports
That was behind only her Irish U-23 record of 71.71m, which the UCD student threw in Finland last month, and it tees her up perfectly for next week's European U-23 Championships in Norway, with the World University Games to follow the week after. Tuthill also defeated some quality opponents in the process, with Norway's Beatrice Llano second with 68.14m and Finland's Suvi Koskinen third with 68.02m. 'I'm happy with that, but of course I'm always looking for more,' said Tuthill. 'It's a brilliant home crowd which makes it extra special. I'm happy with the consistency of two throws over 70 and I hope I can build on that as the summer goes on.' Elsewhere in the field events, Reece Ademola underlined his outstanding talent with a huge leap of 7.82m in the long jump, the Leevale athlete bouncing back to form in spectacular fashion following a prolonged layoff with injury. Ademola underwent knee surgery last August and was thrilled to be back competing, having only started back jumping three weeks ago. Victory went to Britain's Stephen Mackenzie with 7.89m ahead of compatriot Alessandro Schenni (7.88m). 'I'm delighted with that, I didn't know what to expect,' said Ademola. 'Last year I had a lateral meniscus tear so I took some personal time for myself to get over things, but I'm back now so I'm looking to get out there. I'm going to shoot for Worlds, give myself a goal. I do tend to do well if I have something ahead of me.' Israel Olatunde put in a bold bid for victory in the men's 100m but came up second best, clocking 10.36 (0.5m/s) behind USA's Coby Hilton (10.30). 'I'll take it, it's all progress,' said Olatunde. 'Next up is Morton Games and then I'll get ready for nationals.' The Dundalk athlete has been training in Florida since last autumn under the guidance of coach Lance Brauman, alongside Olympic champion Noah Lyles, and he feels things are starting to click after an initial adjustment period. 'It's been great, a dream come true being out there, training with the best,' he said. 'I feel like I'm really improving as an athlete. You think the best do crazy stuff but it's simple things, day on day, putting in the work, that leads to greatness over time. It's all a process but I'm getting there bit by bit.' In the men's 800m, Cian McPhillips left himself with too much to do despite producing a flying finish. The Longford athlete had to circle the field over the closing 200m and came up just short of victory, finishing second in 1:45.51 to British 20-year-old Henry Jonas, who clocked a meeting record of 1:45.25. Cathal Doyle produced a strong run to finish third in 1:46.36, the Paris Olympian sharpening up for Friday's Morton Mile in Dublin, where he should be a huge contender for victory. In the men's 3000m, rising star Nick Griggs made a bold bid to challenge his Irish U-23 3000m record but fell a few seconds short, the Tyrone athlete clocking 7:40.38 to finish fifth, with Britain's Henry McLuckie setting a meeting record of 7:36.81 to take victory. Eric Favors threw a best of 19.81m in the men's shot put, but the Paris Olympian had to settle for second behind New Zealand's Nick Palmer (19.91m). Britain's Mabel Akande was best in the women's 100m, powering to victory in 11.36 (2.2m/s) ahead of Mexico's Cecilia Tamayo-Garza (11.47), with Limerick's Ciara Neville producing a strong run back in third of 11.50. Phil Healy came home seventh in 11.77, but the former Irish record holder had a better showing later in the evening over 200m, finishing third in 24.05. 'It's a rust buster for me,' said Healy. 'I haven't raced since [the World Relays in] China which was almost two months ago so it's great to race and take that on to the rest of the season.' There was a thrilling finale in the men's mile where USA's Marco Langon powered to victory in 3:54.59, beginning his celebration halfway up the home straight, with Uruguay's Santiago Catrofe second in 3:55.51 and UCD's Lughaidh Mallon smashing the four-minute barrier for the first time in third, clocking 3:56.09.
Irish Examiner
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Nicola Tuthill produces career second best throw to take victory at Cork City Sports
Nicola Tuthill produced the second biggest throw of her career to take victory at the 71st edition of the Cork City Sports on Wednesday night, the Bandon thrower launching a 70.65m effort. That was behind only her Irish U-23 record of 71.71m, which the UCD student threw in Finland last month, and it tees her up perfectly for next week's European U-23 Championships in Norway, with the World University Games to follow the week after. Tuthill also defeated some quality opponents in the process, with Norway's Beatrice Llano second with 68.14m and Finland's Suvi Koskinen third with 68.02m. 'I'm happy with that, but of course I'm always looking for more,' said Tuthill. 'It's a brilliant home crowd which makes it extra special. I'm happy with the consistency of two throws over 70 and I hope I can build on that as the summer goes on.' Nicola Tuthill of Bandon AC competing in the women's hammer throw at Cork City Sports in MTU. Pic: Chani Anderson. Elsewhere in the field events, Reece Ademola underlined his outstanding talent with a huge leap of 7.82m in the long jump, the Leevale athlete bouncing back to form in spectacular fashion following a prolonged layoff with injury. Ademola underwent knee surgery last August and was thrilled to be back competing, having only started back jumping three weeks ago. Victory went to Britain's Stephen Mackenzie with 7.89m ahead of compatriot Alessandro Schenni (7.88m). 'I'm delighted with that, I didn't know what to expect,' said Ademola. 'Last year I had a lateral meniscus tear so I took some personal time for myself to get over things, but I'm back now so I'm looking to get out there. I'm going to shoot for Worlds, give myself a goal. I do tend to do well if I have something ahead of me.' Israel Olatunde put in a bold bid for victory in the men's 100m but came up second best, clocking 10.36 (0.5m/s) behind USA's Coby Hilton (10.30). 'I'll take it, it's all progress,' said Olatunde. 'Next up is Morton Games and then I'll get ready for nationals.' The Dundalk athlete has been training in Florida since last autumn under the guidance of coach Lance Brauman, alongside Olympic champion Noah Lyles, and he feels things are starting to click after an initial adjustment period. 'It's been great, a dream come true being out there, training with the best,' he said. 'I feel like I'm really improving as an athlete. You think the best do crazy stuff but it's simple things, day on day, putting in the work, that leads to greatness over time. It's all a process but I'm getting there bit by bit.' In the men's 800m, Cian McPhillips left himself with too much to do despite producing a flying finish. The Longford athlete had to circle the field over the closing 200m and came up just short of victory, finishing second in 1:45.51 to British 20-year-old Henry Jonas, who clocked a meeting record of 1:45.25. Cathal Doyle produced a strong run to finish third in 1:46.36, the Paris Olympian sharpening up for Friday's Morton Mile in Dublin, where he should be a huge contender for victory. In the men's 3000m, rising star Nick Griggs made a bold bid to challenge his Irish U-23 3000m record but fell a few seconds short, the Tyrone athlete clocking 7:40.38 to finish fifth, with Britain's Henry McLuckie setting a meeting record of 7:36.81 to take victory. Eric Favors threw a best of 19.81m in the men's shot put, but the Paris Olympian had to settle for second behind New Zealand's Nick Palmer (19.91m). Britain's Mabel Akande was best in the women's 100m, powering to victory in 11.36 (2.2m/s) ahead of Mexico's Cecilia Tamayo-Garza (11.47), with Limerick's Ciara Neville producing a strong run back in third of 11.50. Phil Healy came home seventh in 11.77, but the former Irish record holder had a better showing later in the evening over 200m, finishing third in 24.05. 'It's a rust buster for me,' said Healy. 'I haven't raced since [the World Relays in] China which was almost two months ago so it's great to race and take that on to the rest of the season.' There was a thrilling finale in the men's mile where USA's Marco Langon powered to victory in 3:54.59, beginning his celebration halfway up the home straight, with Uruguay's Santiago Catrofe second in 3:55.51 and UCD's Lughaidh Mallon smashing the four-minute barrier for the first time in third, clocking 3:56.09.
