BY LEE MAGINNIS
SUPERCHARGED Kate O’Connor has won gold at the World University Games in Germany, smashing her Irish heptathlon record in the process.
Representing Ulster University and Ireland, Newry’s O’Connor was 137 points clear of Hungary’s Szabina Szucs at the end of day one, having amassed 3737 points, with Austria’s Emilia Surch third on 3552.
O’Connor, a Masters student in communication and PR, started the day with 13.89 seconds in the 100m hurdles, followed by an impressive 1.83m in the high jump, the second highest clearance of her career, at first attempt.
O’Connor then extended her lead in the shot put, with 13.76m.
In her final event of the day, she smashed her personal best over 200m with 24.33, her previous PB being 24.73 in 2022.
Day two and Kate managed 6.15m in the long jump before throwing the javelin 51.87m.
That left her in prime position for gold, but knowing she was on for a huge National Record, she ran a very hard 800m, hitting the line in second place in a personal best time of 2:10.46.
So it was gold for O’Connor and a new Irish record of 6487 points.
