Rhasidat Adeleke vows to avoid conservative start in World Championships 400m final

Rhasidat Adeleke says she will have to change her race strategy if she is to challenge for a medal in Wednesday's World Championships 400 metres final in Budapest.

The Tallaght sensation advanced as an automatic qualifier after finishing second in her semi-final in a time of 49.87, becoming the first Irish sprint finalist at a World Championships since David Gillick and Derval O’Rourke in 2009.

Adeleke finished second to Olympic silver medallist Marileidy Paulino of the Dominican Republic and appeared to take her time before hitting her stride from lane five.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport’s Greg Allen after the race, Adeleke dismissed the idea that after a demanding US College season that began in January, she could be somewhat fatigued, insisting instead that she needs to address her conservative race start if she is to challenge for a medal in Wednesday night’s final (8.35pm Irish time).

"I was probably too comfortable in the first 200 metres. I need to start using my 200-metre speed," she said.

"I knew I was strong, so regardless of where I was, I’d be able to finish, but for the final I know I need to change that tactic.

"I had to work too hard in my last 200, but that’s something I’m going to use in the next race."

Having finished one place outside making the final at last year’s World Championships, Adeleke has taken almost a second and a half off the 400m Irish record over the last 12 months to enter the event as a real medal contender.

She will run from lane four in the final with the three semi-final winners Lieke Klaver, Natalia Kaczmarek and Paulino in the lanes outside her. Only Paulnino has gone under Adeleke's 49.20 this season, with the Dominican Republic athlete looking best placed to claim a more open event than had