IRISH HEPTATHLETE KATE O’Connor enjoyed a day to remember at the Multistars World Athletics Combined Events Challenge in Lana, Italy, yesterday, producing a huge performance to finish second.
In her first heptathlon in two years, O’Connor clocked up 6297 points — seven off the winner, Maria Vicente of Spain — to set a new Irish record in a remarkable display.
Her tally beat her own record and puts her firmly in line for Olympic qualification; the qualifying standard for this summer’s Games 6420.
The Newry 20-year-old smashed her PB in the 100m hurdles, clocking 13.94, and followed that up with a 1.80m high jump, 14.23m shot put, 24.94-second 200m, 5.84m long jump, 51.61m javelin throw and a lifetime best of 2:11.76 in the 800m.
The competition in Lana — a happy hunting ground for St Gerard’s AC star O’Connor — saw 14 athletes with a PB over the 6000 points barrier go head-to-head, including top rising talents like Vicente, Geraldine Ruckstuhl of Switzerland, Great Britain’s Holly Mills and Australian Sarah Lagger.
“I CANT BELIEVE IT,” O’Connor, 2019 European U20 heptathlon silver medallist and history-maker having become Ireland’s first heptathlon medallist at any level, wrote on Twitter.
“6297 points in my first heptathlon in two years AND A NEW IRISH RECORD. I’m so excited for what’s next.”
I CANT BELIEVE IT🤯🤯🤯
— Katherine O'Connor (@kateoc2000) April 25, 2021
6297 points in my first heptathlon in 2years AND A NEW IRISH RECORD🤩🤩☘️☘️☘️
I’m so excited for what’s next 👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/EbGooKWYeE
Just to put this into context as it didn't get half the coverage it deserves:
— Cathal Dennehy (@Cathal_Dennehy) April 26, 2021
O'Connor's points total yesterday would have placed her 6th, 4th, 12th, 14th & 14th at the last 5 Olympics. At the last 5 World Champs: 11th, 7th, 12th, 9th, 8th.
And she's only 20. https://t.co/28qMKlPUAC
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