Mark English reaches 800m final in emphatic style at Ultimate Championship

Another magnificently timed effort by Mark English secured him a spot in the men’s 800m final at the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, winning his semi-final in 1:43.74.

Just as he did when winning the European title in Birmingham last month, the Donegal athlete bided his time to the last 100m before unleashing his finishing kick to take the win.

The top four from both semi-finals progressed to Sunday’s final (6.41pm), with $150,000 on offer to the winner as part of an $10-million purse across the weekend.

Running in the second semi-final, English was in complete control as he kicked past three rivals down the homestretch. Italy’s Francesco Perncici held on for second in 1:43.80, with Canada’s Marco Arop third and Algeria’s Djamel Sedjati fourth.