Rhasidat Adeleke powers to national title and secures European qualifier

Adeleke said she's had a "rough year."

Rhasidat Adeleke ran 22.80 into a headwind to qualify for the 200m at next month's European Championships. Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

With the pressure at its highest, and her back to the wall, Rhasidat Adeleke pulled out a huge performance when she needed it most.

The 23-year-old Dubliner blasted to 200m victory at the 123.ie National Track and Field Championships in Santry on Saturday, her winning time of 22.80 seconds (-1.1m/s) securing her qualification for next month’s European Championships in Birmingham.

Despite a stiff headwind, Adeleke ran well under the automatic standard of 22.85, which she’d come up just shy of earlier in the year. Since then, however, Adeleke had struggled with a hamstring strain, saying in a recent Instagram video that it was like she was taking “10 steps forward and 15 steps back.” 

But back in her home city, the Tallaght sprinter looked much closer to her best self, exploding out of the blocks on a cool, blustery afternoon at Morton Stadium, quickly passing fellow Irish Olympian Sharlene Mawdsley – who pulled up after 60 metres – and then past Lauren Roy.

Roy had been the fastest Irishwoman this year with 22.83, but Adeleke looked a class apart over the latter half of the race, pulling several metres ahead to hit the line in a championship record of 22.80, with Roy second in 23.49.

“It’s been a rough year so I didn’t really have expectations here,” said Adeleke. “I just wanted to come out here in front of a home crowd, show up and show out, and whatever happens, happens.” 

It's mission accomplished for Rhasidat Adeleke who blasts to victory at the Irish nationals over 200m in 22.80 (-1.1m/s), securing the qualification standard (22.85) for next month's Europeans.

A big step forward after a difficult year. pic.twitter.com/PHVUOgtnjI

— Cathal Dennehy (@Cathal_Dennehy) July 25, 2026

There was a notable rise in the typical crowd size for the first day of nationals and Adeleke said the support had made a difference. 

“I wouldn’t be able to do it without this crowd here, honestly,” she said. “I knew that if I could do it anywhere, it’s at home. So thank you to everyone who’s supporting me.

“So many people send me such nice messages. Sometimes when you’re in a bad place, you think the worst of yourself and [then] you see the amount of people who are showing you love and support, it just lifts my spirits.” 

Adeleke can now put her full focus on the 200m at next month’s Europeans, given she will not be qualified for the 400m, while she will also be eligible for the women’s 4x400m relay.

Elsewhere on day one, Benjamin Richardson powered to his first national title in the men’s 200m, the West Waterford AC athlete clocking 20.64 (-0.1m/s) to beat national record holder Sean Aigboboh of Tallaght (20.75).

Richardson, who switched his allegiance from South Africa last year, will be eligible to represent Ireland from August next year. He was born in Waterford but brought up in South Africa, though he long harboured ambitions of running for Ireland.

“I wish I could have started off here, but I’m happy I went through that process and I’m where I want to be in the first place,” he said. “I love the place, I’m happy to be here in front of the crowd, happy to be on home soil and I can’t wait for this to be my home and the country I represent.” 

David Kenny proved a class apart in the men’s 10,000m race walk, the Farranfore athlete clocking 38:56.24, while Kate Veale of West Waterford took her 11th national title in the women’s 5000m in 24:18.38.

Saragh Buggy of St. Abban’s had a best of 12.47m to win the women’s triple jump, her 11th straight national outdoor title in the event, adding to her nine indoor titles. Michaela Walsh of Swinford took the women’s shot put with 13.11m, while Eric Favors was a dominant winner of the men’s shot put with 19.47m.

Mark English was a notable absentee from the men’s 800m, with Cian McPhillips coasting to victory in his heat in 1:51.85 – the UCD athlete’s biggest challenge in Sunday’s final likely to come from Cillian Kirwan.

The men’s 1500m will also serve up a riveting duel as Cathal Doyle bids for a fifth consecutive title, though he’ll have to defeat Irish record holder Andrew Coscoran, who’s seeking his second title. The women’s 1500m will see Sophie O’Sullivan start favourite given the absence of Sarah Healy, the Dubliner posting that a “minor issue” during the week had ruled her out of the event.

The men’s 100m will see reigning champion Bori Akinola trying to deny Richardson a sprint double. Richardson recently ran 10.06 in Lucerne, which puts him atop the Irish list this year ahead of Akinola’s 10.19.

123.ie National Track and Field Championships: Live, Sunday, Athletics Ireland YouTube (2pm); RTÉ Two (6pm)