Mark English storms to 500m victory with Irish record in Sweden

Sky Academy Sports Scholar Mark English continued to show fabulous form by winning the 500m in Stockholm in his second race of the season.

Fresh from a three-break winter training trip in South Africa, the 22-year-old from Letterkenny kicked off his running campaign with second spot over 800m at the PSD Meeting in Dusseldorf on February 5.

And on Wednesday night, he went one better by setting a new Irish record over the rarely-run 500 metres with a time of 1 minute 0.93 seconds at the Globen Galen in Sweden ahead of Amercian Erik Sowinski.

"I'm very pleased to have run 60 seconds in my second outing this year," said English, who has already qualified for the Rio Olympics this summer.

"With some more competition I think I can break 60 seconds. It was great fun and the crowd were as supportive as always! I'd also love to give the 600m a shot at some point.

"The world record stands at 1:15.12. Sowinski, who I've just beaten, has run 1:15.61 and so I'd like to think I'm also capable of being in that territory."

Two weeks ago, English kicked off his 2016 campaign in Germany in the 800m, his usual distance, in conservative fashion, but he showed his gears by moving through the field and only just missed out on top-spot after a fine battle in the last 100m with the lively Mussaeb Balla of Qatar.

Next up is the indoor circuit in Scotland where he will be up against many of his British rivals in the 800m.

English added: "I'm focused on running a quick time at the Glasgow Indoor International on Saturday."

WHAT'S COMING UP FOR OUR SCHOLARS...

JAN 16 - MARCH 5: Siobhan O'Connor, Australia

FEB 20: Mark English, Holly Bradshaw, Grand Prix IAAF Indoor Meeting, Glasgow

FEB 22-28: Jack Bateson, Strandja tournament, Bulgaria