Joanne Cuddihy runs 51.45 in Japan and qualifies for London

Last night in Japan, Joanne Cuddihy ran 51.45 in a 400 metre race which has qualified her for the 2012 Olympics in London. Her time in the 400m race at the Shizuoka International Track and Field Meet was 51.45, just ten one hundredths of a second inside the Olympic 'A' qualifying time of 51.55.

Joanne won the Australian National Championships back in April with a time of 51.69.

The Kilkenny City Harriers runner will next compete in the Golden Grand Prix in Kawasaki this week where she is hoping to further improve on this time, according to Athletics Ireland.

Updated 6th May 2012...Joanne Cuddihy (Kilkenny AC) finished second in the 400m in Golden Grand Prix in Kawasaki, Japan in 51.78, with the American Mary Wineberg third in 52.36. The World Champion Amantle Montsho of Botswana won the race in 50.52.