Ireland’s Kate O’Connor won a bronze medal at the World Indoor Championships this evening to become the first Irish woman to win two World Indoor medals.
The AC athlete from Dundalk St Gerard started the final event of the day, the 800m, in Poland, in a strong position.
O’Connor ran a personal best time of 2:10.26 to win the bronze medal. She finished just 49 points behind gold medalist Sofie Dokter of the Netherlands with a score of 4,888. American Anna Hall took silver with 4,860 points.
𝐒𝐇𝐄’𝐒 𝐃𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐈𝐓 𝐀𝐆𝐀𝐈𝐍!!!
It’s BRONZE for Kate O’Connor as she continues her remarkable streak of major championship medals
The first Irish woman to win two world indoor medals
Outstanding!!!!
2:10.26 PB over 800m for a new national record of 4839
… pic.twitter.com/5ZDYtc4fw9
– Athletics Ireland (@irisathletics) March 22, 2026
Kate O’Connor’s reaction
Reacting to her achievement tonight, Kate O’Connor said:
“I came here with very high expectations and although I may not have lived up to them, I’m leaving as a world bronze medalist and I really can’t complain about that. I think it’s probably a good thing that I’m leaving thinking I could do a little bit better, but in the end I’m delighted.”
Listen to Kate O’Connor, World Indoor Bronze Medalist!
#IrishAthletics #WorldIndoorChamps pic.twitter.com/UuAOuPQ8ch
– Athletics Ireland (@irisathletics) March 22, 2026
Good start in the 60m hurdles
O’Connor got off to a strong start in the 60m hurdles this morning with a time of 8.23 seconds – just 0.02 off her personal best set at the recent National Indoor Championships. She then achieved a best clearance of 1.81m in the high jump, achieved on her final attempt despite tripping over a cable during her opening swing.
In the shot put, the final event of the morning session, the 25-year-old started with 14.59m, improved her personal best by 1cm to 14.65m in her second round, then extended it to 14.70m with her final throw.
The Irish athlete started the evening session with a mistake in the long jump before achieving a record of 6.38m in her final attempt.
Medal table
This result continues a remarkable run of major championship success for O’Connor. In 2025, the Dundalk athlete won a bronze medal at the European Indoor Championships, won silver at the World Indoor Championships, took gold at the World University Games and silver at the World Outdoor Championships.
Only two Irish athletes, Sonia O’Sullivan and Catherina McKiernan, have now won more individual medals at senior championships.
Outlining his plans for this season, O’Connor explained:
“My plan is to compete in the Commonwealth Games and the European Championships. I will start at the Commonwealth Championships and then the European Championships will be my main goal. I want to try to win gold. It will be a tough competition, but if you don’t go in with the mindset to win gold, you’ll never make it. I’m going to work really hard for the next four or five months and put myself in a position to win that gold medal.”
Summary of Day 3 Results
- Kate O’Connor – Pentathlon – 60m hurdles: 8.23
- Kate O’Connor – Pentathlon – High jump: 1.81 m
- Kate O’Connor – Pentathlon – Shot put: 14.70 m
- Sarah Lavin – 60m hurdles heats – 8.08 (5th, did not advance)
- Kate O’Connor – Pentathlon – Long jump: 6.38 m
- Kate O’Connor – Pentathlon – 800m: 2:10.26 PB
- Kate O’Connor – Pentathlon – BRONZE (4839 points NR)
Summary of Ireland team results
- Kate O’Connor – Women’s Pentathlon – BRONZE NR
- Nick Griggs – Men’s 3000m – Final – 9th overall
- Andrew Cocoran – Men’s 3000m – Final – 13th overall
- Mark English – Men’s 800m – SF Stage – 14th overall
- Bori Akinola – Men’s 60m – SF Stage – 15th overall
- Maeve O’Neill – Women’s 800m – SF Stage – 18th overall
- Lauren Roy – Women’s 60m – SF Stage – 19th overall
- Emma Moore – Women’s 800m – Heats – 22sd overall
- James Gormley – Men’s 1,500m – Heats – 29th overall
- Ciara Neville – women’s 60m – heats – 31st overall
- Sarah Lavin – Women’s 60m hurdles – Heats – 32sd overall
The position Bronze for Kate O’Connor at the World Indoor Championships appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.
