Mark English breaks 48-year record in 800m semi-final

Mark English set a new European Championship record in the men's 800m semi-finals at the Alexander Stadium. The Irishman clocked 1:43.49 to surpass the previous mark of 1:43.84 held by Olaf Beyer since 1978.

English secured his place in Thursday's final in Birmingham by winning the second semi-final. His performance follows a strong season that included a Diamond League victory in China and a lifetime best of 1:42.97 in London. He previously earned two European bronze medals in Zurich and Munich.

Britain's Ben Pattison and Max Burgin also progressed to the final. Pattison finished second in English's heat with a time of 1:43.72, while France's Corentin le Clézio took third in 1:43.80. Burgin won his semi-final in 1:44.73, using a tactical approach that relied on his speed and change of pace after dealing with an injury and a virus earlier in the season.

Burgin experienced a moment of contact with a competitor during the closing stages of his race. He noted that being clipped from behind provided momentum for his final spurt. He indicated that his fitness is improving as the championships progress.

In the women's discus qualifying, Zara Obamakinwa finished 20th with a throw of 55.17m. Vanessa Kamga of Sweden led the group with 64.65m, while 47-year-old Melina Robert-Michon of France qualified with a throw of 60.89m. The Netherlands also secured two spots through Jorinde van Klinken and Alida van Daalen.

In the 400m hurdles, Karsten Warholm won his heat in 48.01. Slovenia's Matic Ian Gucek set a national record of 48.03 to finish second, while Ismail Nezir of Turkey qualified as a fastest loser in 48.16. Earlier in the session, Sweden's Oskar Edlund ran 47.81 in the first heat. British runners Josh Faulds, Jake Minshull, and Alastair Chalmers failed to reach the final.