Sharlene Mawdsley narrowly misses Madrid podium after thrilling finish
Mawdsley finished fourth in the 400m at the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meeting
Tipperary's Sharlene Mawdsley came within a whisker of a podium finish at the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meeting in Madrid on Thursday night.
The Newport athlete produced another impressive performance in the women's 400 metres, crossing the line in fourth place after an exceptionally close finish, while Italy's Anna Polinari claimed victory in 50.36 seconds, edging Bahrain's Kemi Adekoya by just one hundredth of a second.
The battle for third was equally tight. Chile's Martina Weil secured the final podium position after a photo finish with Mawdsley, with both athletes officially credited with times of 50.43 seconds.
Mawdsley was ultimately denied a top-three finish by the narrowest of margins, ending the race less than one-tenth of a second behind the winner in another encouraging display from the Tipperary Olympian.