The Daily Star Ireland
Ireland’s Kate O’Connor made history at the World Athletics Championships, winning silver in the heptathlon after delivering her fifth personal best of the competition. The Dundalk athlete clocked an impressive 2:09.56 in the final 800m, sealing her podium finish despite carrying a knee injury sustained earlier in the long jump.
A Landmark Achievement for Irish Athletics
At just 24 years old, O’Connor became the first Irish woman ever to medal in a multi-discipline event at a major championship. Her performance places her in elite company, with only five other Irish athletes having medaled at the Worlds. The last was Rob Heffernan, who struck gold in the 50km walk back in 2013. Before O’Connor, the only Irish athlete to win a multi-event title was Tom Kiely, who claimed Olympic all-around gold in 1904 when competing for Great Britain and Ireland.
The heptathlon title in Budapest went to American Anna Hall, who finished strongly with a 2:06.08 in the 800m to secure gold with 6,881 points. O’Connor’s total of 6,714 not only secured her silver but also set a new Irish national record. The bronze medal was shared by Taliyah Brooks of the USA and Britain’s Katarina Johnson-Thompson, both finishing with 6,581 points.
Building Momentum Across Two Days
O’Connor’s medal-winning performance was built on consistency and determination across all seven events. Day one saw her open with a string of personal bests in the 100m hurdles, high jump, and 200m, propelling her into second place overall at the halfway stage.
On day two, she continued her momentum. Despite battling pain in her knee, O’Connor managed a best of 6.22m in the long jump, earning 918 points and pushing her total to 4,824 — already ahead of the pace she had set when breaking the Irish record with 6,497 points earlier in July.
She followed up with another standout performance in the javelin, throwing a career-best 53.06m. That throw elevated her into the medal positions with 5,743 points heading into the decisive 800m, where she showed grit and tactical awareness to cross the line ahead of key rival Taliyah Brooks.
Part of Ireland’s World Championship Legacy
O’Connor now joins an illustrious list of Irish athletes who have medaled on the global stage. That roll call includes Eamonn Coghlan (1500m gold, 1983), Sonia O’Sullivan (5000m gold, 1995; 1500m silver, 1993), Gillian O’Sullivan (20km walk silver, 2003), Olive Loughnane (20km walk silver, 2009), and Rob Heffernan (50km walk gold, 2013).
Her achievement is being hailed as a breakthrough moment for Irish athletics, particularly in multi-discipline events where Ireland has rarely been represented at the top tier.
Mixed Fortunes for Other Irish Athletes
Elsewhere in Budapest, Ireland’s women’s 4x400m relay team endured disappointment, finishing last in their heat. Despite a bright start from Sophie Becker, a sluggish baton change with Cliodhna Manning cost them vital momentum. Rachel McCann and Sharlene Mawdsley were unable to claw back ground, leaving Ireland outside the top-three qualification spots for the final.
In the men’s 800m final, Longford’s Cian McPhillips narrowly missed out on the medals, finishing a respectable fourth against a world-class field.
Final Thoughts
Kate O’Connor’s silver medal is more than just personal triumph — it represents a historic leap forward for Irish track and field. With her record-breaking score and resilience under pressure, she has not only cemented her place among Ireland’s sporting greats but also inspired a new generation of athletes to believe that success in the most demanding events is possible.
