Opening Day in Lima: Ndudi Qualifies, Relay Team Exits Early

The opening day of the World U20 Athletics Championships in Lima, Peru, brought mixed results for the Irish contingent as they began their campaigns on the global stage.

First on the track was Dundrum South Dublin AC’s Elizabeth Ndudi, who just managed to secure her place in the long jump final. Ndudi recorded a best jump of 5.95m, placing her 9th in Qualification Group A. She will now look to improve in the final, which takes place at 11.20pm Irish time tomorrow night.

The Mixed 4x400m Relay team faced a challenging task, needing a top-two finish to advance to the semi-finals. Despite being competitive throughout, particularly with an impressive second lap from Daisy Walker, the team fell short. Niamh Murray gave her all in the final stretch, but it wasn’t enough to push into the top two, with the team finishing 4th overall and not advancing to the final.

Seán Aigboboh was the final Irish athlete to compete in the morning session, and he delivered a very solid performance. Racing in the sixth heat of the 100m, he finished 3rd, securing a non-automatic qualification for the semi-final with a time of 10.55 seconds. 

The Tallaght AC athlete returned to the track in the evening session, aiming for a place in the final. However, Seán finished at the back of the field and did not advance to the final. 

The second Irish athlete in action during the evening session was the promising Oisín Joyce in the qualifying round of the javelin throw. His best attempt of 69.85m earned him 5th place in his qualification group, and pending the results of the second qualification group, is likely to qualify for the final, which will take place on Thursday night.

Day 1 Results

Elizabeth Ndudi - Women's Long Jump - Qualification Group A - 5.95m - 9th q

Conor Kelly, Daisy Walker, Sean Doggett & Niamh Murray - Mixed 4x400m Relay - 4th - 3:26.40

Sean Aigboboh - Men's 100m Heat 6 - 10.55 - 3rd q

Sean Aigboboh - Men's 100m Semi Final - 10.65 - 8th 

Oisin Joyce - Men's Javelin Throw - Qualification Group A - 69.85m - 5th (q pending Qualification Group B results)