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Glasgow 2026 Day Two - Morning Session Round-Up
28/07/2026 00:00, I Mewn Blog / Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games - Latest News /
It was a case of “job done” for both Charlotte Henrich and Justin Davies during Tuesday’s morning session as both comfortably qualified for their respective 400m and 800m semi-finals.
Following some beefy showers just before the morning’s action got underway, Henrich lined up for heat one of the women’s 400m first round.
With the eight top seeds in the event having been given a bye to the semi-finals, the Invicta East Kent athlete’s mission was to record one of the top 18 fastest times across the heats.
Henrich started well in lane four and was already reeling in Paris Olympics relay bronze medallist Lavaia Neilsen, of England, as they raced down the back straight. Coming off the final bend, the Welsh record holder had established a lead.
Despite having to contend with soggy sections on the drying track and a headwind coming down the home straight, the 19-year-old extended her advantage to win in 52.13. Nielsen finished second in 52.72.
The result meant Henrich qualified as the third fastest athlete in the heats. The semi-finals are due to be held during Thursday’s morning session at 12:45.
After the race, a happy Henrich said:
“I know I’m in excellent shape, that’s always nice. I ran a PB 11 days ago. It’s nice to come to a champs like that.
“If the wind settles down, it is a fast track, just the back straight, no wind please!”
Asked about her ambitions for the rest of the championships, Henrich said:
“Definitely a final. I think if I don’t make the final, I’ll be disappointed and anything can happen in a final.”
In the 800m first round heats, Davies was hunting down a top three automatic qualifying spot, or a fastest qualifying spot.
Lining up in heat three of four, the Team Bath athlete was looking comfortable in the top five during the first lap.
At the bell, the Welsh record holder was fourth and moved up into third along the back straight, vying for that final automatic qualifying spot with Nathan Cumberbatch of Trinidad and Tobago.
But with the pace and competition for the top places hotting up coming down the home straight, Davies seemed to go up a gear with his trademark blond pony tail flowing in the breeze behind him.
In the final stages, the 23-year-old glided into second place to cross the line 1:46.98 behind World Championships finalist Max Burgin, of England who won the heat in 1:46.61.
With the automatic qualifying place already safely in the bag, Davies’ time was the eighth fastest of all those who progressed to the semis, which are due to take place on Thursday evening at 20:45.
Commenting on his performance, the European Under 23 Championships silver medallist, Justin Davies said:
“I went off nice and controlled and I wanted to be top three at the bell, stay in touch, and the goal was to move with around 300 to go, which I did, and then just kick on with my strength in the last hundred and just pray that I got top three!”
Looking ahead to the semis, Davies said:
“I’m feeling good, I think it was a nice reassurance. After the Diamond League, it’s a step forward. That final 100 felt really strong.
“I think preparation now is going to be recovery, some flush out runs, you know, massage, ice baths, the whole works. I’ll be chucking everything at it to put myself in the best possible position.”