Cuddihy pipped for final spot

JOANNE CUDDIHY took Irish women’s 400m running to a new level at the world championships in Osaka yesterday when she set the national record at a world class 50.73 secs and only narrowly missed out on a place in the final.

The 23-year-old Kilkenny athlete finished fourth in her semi-final behind Novelne Williams (Jamaica).

Anna Guevara (Mexico), the 2003 champion was runner-up in 50.19 secs to claim the other automatic place in the final. Ilona Usovich (Belarus) was third in 50.31 secs and got through among the fastest losers as did the US champion, DeeDee Trotter.