Rhasidat Adeleke returns to speciality at Oslo Diamond League meeting
For Rhasidat Adeleke, it's time to return to her speciality. The 22-year-old Dubliner will race her first 400m of the year at the Oslo Diamond League on Thursday evening, facing a strong field that includes Poland's Natalia Bukowiecka, who edged her to the European title in Rome last year and to the Olympic bronze medal in Paris.
Like most athletes this year, Adeleke has taken a patient approach to this part of the season, given there are over three months left until the World Championships in Tokyo. She blew off the racing cobwebs in April and May, clocking 22.57 and 22.72 for 200m and helping Ireland to World Championship qualification when running the mixed and women's 4x400m at the World Relays in China.
As she said after finishing second over 200m at the Shanghai/Keqiao Diamond League: 'It's really different and I'm trying to remember that because sometimes I compare myself to where I was last year or in college. But I'm in a whole different training cycle, a whole different race cycle, so I need to trust the plan and keep my eyes on the World Championships.'
She has put a big emphasis on speed endurance this year, laying a foundation of training that she hopes will bear fruit in the latter part of the 400m. 'I used to be amazing out of the blocks, probably first off the bend, but I'm in that transition period, working on what's really going to help my 400m,' she said.
Thursday's race will give a key window into how that project is evolving, with the field also including world indoor champion Amber Anning, who finished just behind Adeleke in the Olympic final.
Oslo Diamond League: Live, Virgin Media Two/BBC Three, 7pm
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Extra.ie
31 minutes ago
- Extra.ie
Duff announcement came out of the blue for players
Damien Duff's shock decision to quit Shelbourne as manager seemingly came out of the blue for his players. Irish football is reeling from Damien Duff's shock departure as Shelbourne manager, the decision coming just two weeks before the club's Champions League showdown with Linfield. When the news broke yesterday that Duff was to part ways with the club he led to the Airtricity League Premier Division title last season, it sent shockwaves around Irish sport, with concern over the knock-on effects for the League of Ireland, which has enjoyed a significant upsurge in popularity and support since the former Ireland international took over Shels. Damien Duff before Bohemians vs Shelbourne. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile Duff brought his eventful and dramatic three-and-a-half-year reign to an end when he informed Shelbourne players of his intention to leave at training in the AUL complex yesterday. According to reports circulating on social media, the manager told the players as they were preparing to warm up for training, simply stating that he'd taken them as far as he could. In a statement released yesterday evening, the club said that Duff informed them yesterday morning that 'after much thought, he has made the decision to resign'. Shels said that while they were 'deeply saddened' by the decision, the club 'fully respects that he feels this is the right choice for him at this time' before explaining that Duff 'transformed Shelbourne on and off the pitch,' detailing the club's title triumph and back-to-back European qualifications. However, after leading Shelbourne to their first League title in 18 years, their defence hasn't gone well this season and Friday's 1-0 defeat to Derry City left them sixth in the table, trailing Shamrock Rovers by 15 points. Derry City vs Shelbourne Shelbourne manager Damien Duff celebrates winning. Pic: INPHO/Ben Brady Neil Doyle, Shelbourne FC co-owner, said: 'There are no words that do justice to Damien's accomplishments at Shelbourne FC and what he has done for both the club and the League of Ireland. We look back with immense pride on his time here. 'As a club, we move forward with confidence, knowing that the foundations we have jointly built will underpin our continued success. Thank you, Damien, for everything.' The club confirmed that former Ireland international Joey O'Brien, who was Duff's assistant, will take charge of the trip to RSC this evening and Friday's fixture at Galway United.
Irish Independent
11 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Max Kennedy moves into contention for tour promotion despite cruel play-off defeat
But there was a silver lining for the Royal Dublin star, whose runner-up finish (€33,000) in the Blot Play9 in Brittany catapulted him into contention for promotion to the DP World Tour. The Dubliner (23) entered the final round tied for the lead with the experienced Morrison (40) – a two-time DP World Tour winner – who lost his card last year. Kennedy, who set a course record 10-under 60 in the opening round, played superbly early on the final day as birdies at the fifth, sixth and ninth gave him a three-shot lead at the turn. Morrison cut the gap to a shot as he birdied the 10th and 11th and Kennedy followed a birdie at the 11th with a bogey at the 12th at Golf Bluegreen de Pleneuf Val Andre. Kennedy got up and down brilliantly for par at the 13th to maintain his advantage, but while he had a one-shot lead playing the 18th after both bogeyed the 16th, he found a bush at the last and had to take a drop for an unplayable lie. He made a double bogey six to Morrison's bogey as both shot level par 70s to finish on six-under but fell in sudden death on their return to the par-four 18th, where he went over the back with his approach and made a bogey. It gave Morrison, who returned to the HotelPlanner Tour this season after losing his playing privileges, his first victory for over 10 years. 'I feel amazing right now and I'm very proud,' said Morrison, who won the 2010 Madeira Islands Open and the 2015 Open de Espana. 'I didn't play my best today, but I hung in there the best I could. I battled all the way through and hit some good shots at the right time. 'The course is so firm, and the wind was swirling. It's such a tricky layout and you can't relax until the very end. 'Max Kennedy played some great golf, and my journey to this point has been very different to his, and I know his time will come.' ADVERTISEMENT Morrison jumped 153 spots to 19th on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, while Kennedy leapt 52 places to 20th, with the top 20 earning promotion at the end of the season. 'I can't wait to celebrate tonight, and this win puts me in great stead for the rest of the season,' Morrison said. 'The golf hasn't been the problem; I've struggled mentally over the last few years, and it's been so hard for me and my family. I'm so proud of myself to get back to where I am today.' Scotland's Daniel Young finished third on five-under after he matched Kennedy's course-record 60, while Kilkenny's Mark Power tied for 38th on seven-over after a 69. On the Ladies European Tour, South Africa's Casandra Alexander chipped in for an eagle three on the 18th to win the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open at Royal Beroun Golf Club. Her second eagle of a bogey-free final round helped her card a course record, 10-under 62 to win by two strokes on 17-under from Spain's Luna Sobron Galmes and England's Esme Hamilton. 'It's very special,' Alexander said. 'It was a great round today and I'm very happy. I think you can see what it means. It's been years of hard work. The last two weeks have been a bit of a struggle, so it's nice to know my patience paid off.' Lauren Walsh shot a level par 72 to tie for 31st on nine-under, while Sara Byrne's 68 left her a shot further back in 39th. Olivia Mehaffey was 65th on three-under after a closing 73. In the Flogas Irish Women's Amateur Open at Headfort's Championship Course, French teenager Louise Landgraf (16) shot a second successive three-under 69 to take a one-stroke lead over Wales' Carys Worby into the final day on six under. Clandeboye's Rebekah Gardner leads the home challenge in fifth on level par after a 71 with Roscommon's Olivia Costello two shots further back alongside American Carolyn Fuller after a 74.
Sunday World
12 hours ago
- Sunday World
Damien Duff quits as Shelbourne boss and sends shockwaves through League of Ireland
duff bombshell | The Ireland legend decided he could offer no more to the side who claimed the Premier Division title last season. Duff could not be convinced to rethink his decision to leave the club. Photo: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile The statement released by the reigning League of Ireland Premier Division champions on Sunday confirmed the former Ireland and Chelsea star who led Shels to the title last season has decided he could offer no more to the team after a 1-0 defeat against Derry City on Friday night. 'Shelbourne FC regretfully wishes to announce the departure of Damien Duff as first team manager,' read the club statement. 'Damien informed the club this morning that, after much thought, he has made the decision to resign. He shared the news with the players earlier today. 'While all at Shelbourne FC are deeply saddened by Damien's decision, we fully respect that he feels this is the right choice for him at this time. Duff could not be convinced to rethink his decision to leave the club. Photo: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile News in 90 Seconds - June 22nd 'During his four extraordinary years at Tolka Park, Damien transformed Shelbourne Football Club both on and off the pitch. 'Appointed in November 2021, he took over a newly promoted side and rebuilt it from the ground up. Duff guided Shels to a seventh-place finish and a first FAI Cup Final appearance since 2011 in that debut season. The following year, in 2023, a fourth-place finish brought the Reds back to European competition for the first time in 18 years. 'In 2024, Duff led the Reds to one of the greatest triumphs in the club's 130-year history, clinching the League of Ireland Premier Division title, our first since 2006. On the final day we went to Derry, where a 1-0 win at the Brandywell secured the title in dramatic fashion, marking Shels return to the summit of Irish football. 'The club wishes Damien and his family every happiness and success in the future. His impact on Shelbourne FC was transformational. He will always be one of our own, and we are eternally grateful for the indelible mark he has left on our club. 'Joey O'Brien and the coaching staff will take charge for tomorrow's trip to the RSC to face Waterford and will prepare the team for Friday's away fixture against Galway United.' Duff's decision to step down was a shock, despite his scathing criticism of team following the defeat against Derry. 'I prepared for the game like I was a professional footballer,' said Duff on Friday night. 'My wife probably cursed me at times. Three-hour siesta, ate really well, focused my mind. I would like to really, really know how many of my players prepared like me or as well as me, which is damning. 'There was a severe lack of energy, real flatness, severe lack of quality and you are going to get nowhere. I don't accept that that's our third game in a week. Never have, never will until the day I die. If you are an amazing pro you bounce into the night. Even if you are a bit tired, a bit flat, drag yourself along, give yourself a talking to. 'That's where you have to be an amazing pro, an elite pro, a pro that belongs in the Champions League which are strange words for me to say at the minute. 'Did I smell it on Thursday? Of course! It (training) was awful. It all comes from within, your energy, your motivation, how good a professional you are. 'I don't mind saying it again, because it is absolutely true. It's my energy that has driven the players for four years. I've offered them the dressing room for them to lead this show, this steam train. They've never really done it. Again, tonight, it's me shouting and screaming. Joe (O'Brien – assistant) shouting and screaming. We had a real energy because we were highly motivated men, prepared well and I didn't feel that spark, that energy off the players. 'You're all probably saying 'here he goes again'. I'm trying to drag the team, trying to wake them up, but they never woke up. 'For three years, we've been an incredibly motivated team. If you had a bad night it was a given that you get a reaction. As I told the lads upstairs, I don't know (if there will be one in Waterford on Monday). You never know with us anymore, which is damning. It's damning on me because I'm the manager. 'To become champions again, you have to be hungrier than last year, you have to work harder than last year, and again if you ask that question to our guys, I'm not sure how many would say yes, I smelled these type of issues in pre season. 'I thought I would come back and the dressing room would drive itself, because there's big characters, there's champions in there. It didn't. It's not driven by the players. It's driven by me. And like I said to Darren (Cleary – press officer), you can grab every player down here now and ask the same question: 'Is it Duffer that drives everything?' 'It is, and it gets tiring, but most importantly, it gets frustrating. Yeah, I'm there to help and coach and pick the best teams. I don't think it's the manager that should drive a dressing room that still is.'
