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File photo: English reacts after his indoor silver in march. Morgan Treacy/INPHO

English and Barr power into semi-finals at World Championships

The Donegal man finished fifth in his heat, but fast enough to qualify for the next stage tomorrow.

MARK ENGLISH FINISHED fifth in his 800 metre heat at the World Championships this morning, but was still fast enough to secure safe passage to the next stage.

In rising Beijing temperature at local lunchtime, English got off to a steady start in heat 3 after watching two slow opening races in his event.

The European indoor silver medalist was in third place after the first lap and maintained that place right up until the final straight when Amet Tuka and Nader Belhanbel found a late kick to overtake the leading three of English,  Rafith Rodriguez and Erik Sowinski.

“I knew if I got boxed in and was sitting any further back than fourth I’d leave myself too much work to do like two years ago so I wanted to have no regrets,” English said afterwards.

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English’s time of 1:46.49 would have been enough for a top three place and automatic qualification in four of the six heats, including the final heat won in 1:48.31 by Olympic champ David Rudisha. However, the fast pace in his own forced him to wait until that result to guarantee his place in tomorrow’s semi-final.

Updated 12.05pm

Thomas Barr made sure the momentum stayed with Irish athletes as he produced a powerful finish to qualify in a difficult 400m hurdle heat.

The Waterford man came through in 49.20 seconds, third place behind Yasmani Copello and Rasmus Magi. Barr’s late show came as event favourite Bershawn Jackson was cut adrift, the American’s seventh-place finish sees him make a shock early exit from the World Championships.

Originally published 08.35

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