Sarah Healy coasts as Sophie O'Sullivan secures dramatic qualification in the 1500m at the World Championships

Healy and O’Sullivan had come to Tokyo with contrasting build-ups. While Healy has been a model of consistency all season, O’Sullivan had a troubled preparation.

DRAMATIC FINISH: Sophie O'Sullivan dives over the finish line to claim final qualification spot for the 1500m semi-final. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

For Sarah Healy it was never in doubt, the Dubliner coasting into the 1500m semi-finals at the World Championships in Tokyo at her absolute ease, while for Irish teammate Sophie O’Sullivan it was quite the opposite – the NCAA champion pulling out a theatrical dive across the finish line to grab the last qualifying spot from her heat.

The duo’s performances lifted the Irish spirits on the opening day of action at the Japan National Stadium, following the failure of the Irish mixed 4x400m team to reach the final earlier in the day.