Dundalk’s Kate O’Connor Wins Historic Silver at World Indoor Championships
Ardee News and Sport – Dundalk’s Kate O’Connor Wins Historic Silver at World Indoor Championships
Dundalk’s Kate O’Connor has made history, securing Ireland’s first World Indoor Championships medal in 19 years with a stunning silver in the pentathlon in Nanjing, China.
The 24-year-old produced a career-best performance, delivering three personal bests across five events, just weeks after claiming European bronze. She follows in the footsteps of Derval O’Rourke, Ireland’s last indoor medalist, who won gold in Moscow in 2006.
Sensational Final Push
Heading into the final event, the 800m, O’Connor was just three points behind the USA’s Taliyah Brooks. A determined run saw her finish third in the race, but crucially, ahead of Brooks, sealing second place overall with 4,742 points.
Gold went to Finland’s Saga Vanninen with 4,821 points, while Brooks had to settle for bronze, finishing 73 points behind O’Connor.
Series of Personal Bests
O’Connor’s silver was built on an outstanding series of performances, including:
✅ 60m Hurdles: PB of 8.30s (4th in her heat)
✅ Shot Put: PB throw of 14.64m
✅ High Jump: 1.81m, joint highest in the event
✅ Long Jump: Back-to-back PBs of 6.30m and 6.32m
Irish Athletics Landmark Moment
Athletics Ireland High Performance Director Paul McNamara described the achievement as “a landmark day for Irish athletics.”
“We knew Kate had a real medal opportunity, but she had to deliver – and she delivered in spades. Winning a combined events medal is massive for Ireland. Europe is the home of combined eventing, so for her to medal there was significant. To do it at a World Championship just two weeks later is incredible.”
What’s Next?
O’Connor’s focus now shifts to the outdoor season and her preferred event, the heptathlon, which adds javelin and 200m—two disciplines that play to her strengths.
“Javelin is Kate’s strongest event, so she’s only going to get better,” McNamara added.
Her long-term sights are set on LA 2028, but with nine personal bests in her last 10 events, O’Connor has already cemented herself as a serious contender on the world stage.
Other Irish Results
🏃♂️ Andrew Coscoran finished third in his 1500m heat (3:40.79), narrowly missing out on the final.
🏃♀️ Sophie O’Sullivan set a PB of 4:16.68 in the women’s 1500m, finishing sixth in her heat.
