Cian McPhillips has booked a place in the World Championship 800 metre final by winning his semi-final in a new national record.
McPhillips surged over the final 300 metres coming home to win out in one minute 43.18 seconds to claim victory.
The Longford man progresses to Saturday's final having broken Mark English's national record in the process of qualifying.
Cian McPhillips winning his semi-final at #Tokyo2025 pic.twitter.com/SiuuP3EacN
— Shannonside FM (@ShannonsideFM) September 18, 2025
𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐌𝐂𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐒!!! 🇮🇪✨
CIAN MCPHILLIPS IS THROUGH TO THE 800M FINAL WITH A NEW NATIONAL RECORD💥
WHAT A PERFORMANCE!!!!🤯🤯🤯
⏱️ 1:43.18 NR
📸 @SportsfileSam#IrishAthletics | #Tokyo2025 | #WorldAthleticsChamps | @ask123ie | @adidasRunning pic.twitter.com/iE2F1mbajW
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) September 18, 2025
The Longford man held off Britain’s Max Burgin for victory. Burgin posting 1:43.37 who also qualified automatically for the final.
Indeed, The World championship 800 metre final is set for 14:22 Irish time on Saturday.
However, there was heartbreak for compatriot Mark English, who finished third in his heat in 1:45.47. English misses out on a place in the final.
