Sharlene Mawdsley makes winning return from injury in Italy
Tipperary sprinter clocks 50.58 to claim 400m victory in first race since hamstring tear
Tipperary athlete Sharlene Mawdsley made an impressive return from injury on Tuesday evening, taking victory over 400m at the 62nd Palio Città della Quercia meeting in Rovereto, Italy.
Back in competitive action following the hamstring injury which ruled her out of last month's European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, Mawdsley showed few signs of rust as she clocked 50.58 seconds to claim top spot.
The 28-year-old had suffered the injury while competing over 200m at the National Championships in Santry in July, forcing her to miss the European Championships.
Her return came at the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meeting in Rovereto, where she edged out Britain's Charlotte Henrich to secure victory in the women's 400m.
There was also a strong Irish presence elsewhere on the programme, with Sarah Healy going close to a podium finish in the women's 1500m.
The Dubliner finished in 4:02.72, leaving her just 0.55 seconds behind American Margot Appleton, who took third place. Sophie O'Sullivan finished 11th in the same race after recording a time of 4:06.80.
Eric Favors placed eighth in the men's shot put with a best effort of 19.67 metres, while Bori Akinola recorded 10.40 seconds to finish sixth in race B of the men's 100m final.
Darragh McElhinney and Brian Fay were also in action in the men's 3000m final. McElhinney finished 16th in 7:49.97, with Fay crossing the line in 19th place in 7:57.48.