Ferrybank Athletics club member Thomas Barr has won his 400 metre hurdles heat at the European Athletics Championships in Munich.
Barr took the win in 49.49 seconds but needed a sprint finish for the victory.
The bronze medallist from the previous Europeans in Berlin fought off a challenge from Dutch hurdler Ramsey Angela to win, though both were well clear of the rest.
“I was not expecting that down the home straight. Ramsey Angela came back at me on the top end, I had to put the boot down a little bit. I had no idea where everyone else was, but my idea was to get that first spot and try to get a good lane for tomorrow.”
A superbly judged 400mH run from Thomas Barr as he secures his place in the semi-finals with a first place finish in heat 2🇮🇪💪
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) August 17, 2022
⏱️49.49
Semi-final tomorrow from 10.25am👍
Result: https://t.co/yCFXJOy40e#Munich2022 #SilverFox pic.twitter.com/67Sv3tpfSS
He is into the semi-finals, which take place tomorrow morning, and Barr says that he has taken great inspiration from 20-year-old Israel Olatunde who became the fastest Irish man in history last night.
“It is so good to see an Irish man in a European final, in any major final, it is unbelievable. Watching last night I had goosebumps.”
“I think back to when I was his age, to be where he is at, he has the world of athletics at his feet.”
“It is great to see himself coming through, and there are a lot of younger athletes coming through. I am taking great inspiration from them even at my age.”