SOPHIE O’SULLIVAN has won a silver medal with an impressive run in the final of the 800m at the U18 European Championships.
Her finishing time of 2:06.05 came in just behind the winner Keely Hodgkinson of Great Britain who clocked up a time of 2:04.84.
16-year-old O’Sullivan overtook three opponents on the final lap to put her in second place and it looked as though she was going to take the lead coming up to the final bend.
But the race leader Hodgkinson found another gear and stormed away from the chasing pack.
A dominant run in the 800m final for Great Britain's Keely Hodgkinson in a championship record of 2:04.84 and a medal for O'Sullivan!
Sonia O'Sullivan's daughter Sophie claimed a silver medal on her championship debut no less. pic.twitter.com/dHBqUJ9Z9o
— European Athletics (@EuroAthletics) July 7, 2018
Advertisement
O’Sullivan maintained her position right down the home stretch with a confident run that was reminiscent of the final kick her mother Sonia often produced on big race days down through the years.
Speaking after the race, a delighted O’Sullivan said of her silver-medal finish in Hungary:
“I’m just really happy. Going through the rounds, I just wanted to get through the heats and the semis. Once I was here I was just so happy to be here and do as best as I could.
“It turned out well for me today.
A silver medal and a golden interview with Sophie O’Sullivan in 2:06.05 over 800m pic.twitter.com/ozpEhHNyAM
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) July 7, 2018
“I was running and I think I was a little too eager to get going down the back straight but I managed to keep it going on the last 200 but I couldn’t quite catch [Hodgkinson], she was so good.
“There’s always that bit more you can give to go all the way and you’ve just got to really push hard for that.
Super silver and super smiles!!! 2:06.05 for an official pb for Sophie O’Sullivan pic.twitter.com/iNdYWLKrwK
— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) July 7, 2018
It’s been a successful championships for Ireland, with 15-year-old Rhasidat Adeleke winning a gold medal in the 200m final on Saturday while Sarah Healy stormed to victory in the 3,000 metres on Friday.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
6 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Sophie O'Sullivan wins 800m silver medal for Ireland at the European Championships
SOPHIE O’SULLIVAN has won a silver medal with an impressive run in the final of the 800m at the U18 European Championships.
Her finishing time of 2:06.05 came in just behind the winner Keely Hodgkinson of Great Britain who clocked up a time of 2:04.84.
16-year-old O’Sullivan overtook three opponents on the final lap to put her in second place and it looked as though she was going to take the lead coming up to the final bend.
But the race leader Hodgkinson found another gear and stormed away from the chasing pack.
O’Sullivan maintained her position right down the home stretch with a confident run that was reminiscent of the final kick her mother Sonia often produced on big race days down through the years.
Speaking after the race, a delighted O’Sullivan said of her silver-medal finish in Hungary:
“I’m just really happy. Going through the rounds, I just wanted to get through the heats and the semis. Once I was here I was just so happy to be here and do as best as I could.
“It turned out well for me today.
“I was running and I think I was a little too eager to get going down the back straight but I managed to keep it going on the last 200 but I couldn’t quite catch [Hodgkinson], she was so good.
“There’s always that bit more you can give to go all the way and you’ve just got to really push hard for that.
It’s been a successful championships for Ireland, with 15-year-old Rhasidat Adeleke winning a gold medal in the 200m final on Saturday while Sarah Healy stormed to victory in the 3,000 metres on Friday.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
O’Sullivan coasts through to 800m final, disappointment for Jumbo-Gula
15-year-old Rhasidat Adeleke storms to 200m gold for Ireland at European Championships
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
european athletics Reppin' The Tri-Colour sophie o'sullivan