Kate O'Connor wins silver medal for Ireland in heptathlon

By Rachel Steinberg, PA, Tokyo

Ireland's Kate O'Connor has won silver in the heptathlon at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

O’Connor set a national record of 6714 points.

It was Ireland’s first-ever outdoor senior multi-event medal, and the country’s first World Championship medal in 12 years.

🇮🇪 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐤𝐲𝐨! 🌍🥈

🏅 1983 – Eamonn Coghlan, GOLD, 5,000m
🥈 1993 – Sonia O’Sullivan, SILVER, 1500m
🏅 1995 – Sonia O’Sullivan, GOLD, 5,000m
🥈 2003 – Gillian O’Sullivan, SILVER, 20km Walk
🏅 2009 – Olive Loughnane, GOLD, 20km Walk
🏅 2013 –… pic.twitter.com/vkN0lRVvzv

— Athletics Ireland (@irishathletics) September 20, 2025

The United States’ Anna Hall was crowned champion with 6888 points.

Olympic champion Nafi Thiam decided to withdraw from the competition, where she had been sitting eighth.

Another Irish medal hopeful, Cian McPhillips, contests the 800-metres final at about 2.20pm.

While the women's 4x400 metre relay team failed to get out of their heats this afternoon.

The team of Sophie Becker, Cliodhna Manning, Rachel McCann and Sharlene Mawdsley finished eighth and won't progress to the final.