MARK ENGLISH DELIVERED Ireland’s second track medal of the European Championships with a brilliant tactical performance to take bronze in the 800m final on Sunday evening.
The Donegal runner — who already has one European bronze from 2014 — added another to his collection with a 1:45.19 run in Munich’s Olympic Stadium.
Spain’s Mariano Garcia clocked a personal best of 1:44.85 to win gold ahead of Team GB’s Jake Wightman, who was second with a season’s best of 1:44.91.
Advertisement
English made his intentions clear from the gun as he jumped out to take a prominent position towards the head of proceedings.
And when Garcia upped the pace from the front with 500 metres to go, English was in position to cover the move as he held his ground on the inside.
With Sweden’s Andreas Kramer and France’s Benjamin Robert desperately trying to close the gap in the home straight, English dug deep into his reserves to hold them off and win bronze.
“I’m really chuffed,” the 29-year-old told RTÉ Sport’s David Gillick in the immediate aftermath.
“It was difficult to hold on, so I’m just really thankful that I came away with the medal.
“I was absolutely flat out [in the last 200m]. There was nothing else I could give. I’m just really, really happy that I held on.
“Jake was obviously going to be strong in that last 100m, he’s a 1500m world champion, and Garcia looked a million bucks in the semi-final yesterday.”
He added: “I still have the hunger for it, that’s obviously the big thing. I’ve heard that from a lot of older athletes, that the hunger can go and it’s tough to keep it up.
“I’ve had a good year this year. I came 10th at the worlds and I came third here. I’ll count that as an achievement his year. I’m really happy.
“I just need to power on now and try to get the qualification for the worlds next year.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
23 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Mark English wins 800m bronze for Ireland at European Championships
MARK ENGLISH DELIVERED Ireland’s second track medal of the European Championships with a brilliant tactical performance to take bronze in the 800m final on Sunday evening.
The Donegal runner — who already has one European bronze from 2014 — added another to his collection with a 1:45.19 run in Munich’s Olympic Stadium.
Spain’s Mariano Garcia clocked a personal best of 1:44.85 to win gold ahead of Team GB’s Jake Wightman, who was second with a season’s best of 1:44.91.
English made his intentions clear from the gun as he jumped out to take a prominent position towards the head of proceedings.
And when Garcia upped the pace from the front with 500 metres to go, English was in position to cover the move as he held his ground on the inside.
With Sweden’s Andreas Kramer and France’s Benjamin Robert desperately trying to close the gap in the home straight, English dug deep into his reserves to hold them off and win bronze.
“I’m really chuffed,” the 29-year-old told RTÉ Sport’s David Gillick in the immediate aftermath.
“It was difficult to hold on, so I’m just really thankful that I came away with the medal.
“Jake was obviously going to be strong in that last 100m, he’s a 1500m world champion, and Garcia looked a million bucks in the semi-final yesterday.”
He added: “I still have the hunger for it, that’s obviously the big thing. I’ve heard that from a lot of older athletes, that the hunger can go and it’s tough to keep it up.
“I’ve had a good year this year. I came 10th at the worlds and I came third here. I’ll count that as an achievement his year. I’m really happy.
“I just need to power on now and try to get the qualification for the worlds next year.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
European Championships mark english