Irish sprinter Rhasidat Adeleke has won praise on social media, after placing fourth in the world 400m final with a time of 50.13.
Just six days before her 21st birthday, the Tallaght native finished fourth in her first global final at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest.
Rhasidat was the first Irish sprint finalist at the WAC for 14 years – since David Gillick and Derval O’Rourke back in 2009.
𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝟒𝟎𝟎𝐦 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 ⚡️
Rhasidat Adeleke finishes fourth in her first senior world final 🇮🇪 Outstanding 🔥🔥🔥
pic.twitter.com/Xq4lYdOUCP— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) August 23, 2023
The 20-year-old was close to making history at the event, as an Irish athlete hasn’t won a medal at an outdoor global sprint event since Bob Tisdall won gold at the 1932 Olympics.
Speaking after the race, Rhasidat said she gave it her all, and revealed missing out on a medal gave her extra motivation for next year.
She also said the support from Irish fans had been incredible, as she thanked everyone for cheering her on in the stadium.
Rhasidat Adeleke reflects on her fourth place finish in the 400 metres in her first World Championship final, with @davidgillick
REPORT: https://t.co/lzkGPFfTEn pic.twitter.com/viIBFWWn3f— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) August 23, 2023
Rhasidat Adeleke with fourth place in the 400m at the World Championships in her first senior global final.
She only turns 21 next week.
Incredible year for her. pic.twitter.com/7qyHsORKyu— Sinéad Kissane (@sineadkissane) August 23, 2023
The utterly indescribable intensity of a World Championship 400m final.
Rhasidat Adeleke will be back. pic.twitter.com/qlYiG0DX4A— Ian O’Riordan (@ianoriordan) August 23, 2023
Well done to Rhasidat Adeleke on coming 4th, only a second out and you’d have made the podium….. next time for sure. @RTElyricfm @rhasidatadeleke pic.twitter.com/mI9OMc22mN
— Marty Whelan (@martylyricfm) August 24, 2023
🔸 ONLY 20 YEARS OLD
🔸 FIRST GLOBAL FINAL
🔸 4TH IN THE WORLD
🔸 RHASIDAT ADELEKE!
An outstanding championship performance after a long season.
Big days ahead! 🇮🇪
@wabudapest23 @irishathletics pic.twitter.com/Q6pkqbl9Ra
— Brian MacCraith (@muirtheimhne) August 23, 2023
4th in the world. Age 20. Rhasidat Adeleke is an absolute superstar. 💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪 https://t.co/Ojg5szH8yR
— Anna Nolan (@annanolan70) August 23, 2023
Rhasidat qualified for the final race on Monday night when she finished second in the semi-final with a time of 49.87.
The sprinter, who took home the Rising Star award at Goss.ie‘s inaugural Women of the Year Awards in 2022, missed the final by one place during her World Championships debut last July.
The 20-year-old has since turned pro, and made her professional debut in the Monaco Diamond League in July, clocking a time of 49.99.
