In the women’s 1000m final Anika Thompson made history becoming only the second ever Irish athlete to win gold at the European U23 Championships in Bergen, Norway.
Thompson went out hard, sticking with the leaders for the majority of the 24-lap race before sprinting home to take the win in a new national U23 record of 32:31.47.
After the race Thompson said she has been training for experiences like this.
“Track and field is a sport of process, and every day I give my 100% for moments like this,” Thompson said.
The newly crowned champion said she wanted to attack the race from the start.
“The plan was to go by instincts, and I trusted my gut, and I knew that if I had every tactic in the bag, I could do well, I could win if it goes out slow or if it goes out honest.”
Her parents were unable to attend, but her wider family from County Cork was in the crowd to cheer her on.
“My granny Marie, my aunt Fiona, and my uncle Kevin are here… I was glad to put on a show for them today.”
Heather Murphy finished 19th in a time of 35:07.09.
Nicola Tuthill made history again just 30 minutes later claiming silver in the women’s hammer with a throw of 70.90m.
This is the first field event medal for Ireland at the championships, with Tuthill throwing her best of the competition in the fourth round.
“Second is where I was ranked, and second is where I came, so delighted with that. I’m always looking for a little bit more, but these medals are really hard to come by.”
“It’s really special.. I know there is more in but it’s still another throw over 70m and my third best in the competition so in a major championships like this, with the nerves and everything that comes with it I’m delighted. ”
In the morning session, two Irish athletes secured qualification to finals.
Eimear Maher of DSD AC progressed to the final of the women’s 1500m by finishing third and securing an automatic qualification spot in a time of 4:13.84.
This is Maher’s debut championship on the track, and she comes in with an impressive personal best of 4:08.67.
Cara Laverty of Finn Valley AC was ninth in heat one of the women’s 1500m with a 4:23.66 clocking, which wasn’t enough to qualify on this occasion.
Ava O’Connor also secured her place in the women’s 3000m steeplechase final, crossing the line in second place in 10:02.95.
Alexandra Joyce made her Irish debut just three months after taking up the steeple event and finished just two seconds off her personal best in 10:15.63 to take 11th place in heat one.
Ailish Hawkins completed the steeplechase trio, finishing her competition in 11th position in heat two in a time of 10:44.45.
Andrew Egan made his individual debut after being part of the 4x400m squad two years ago in Espoo. Egan finished in fifth position in 21.77, which was two places outside automatic qualifying.
Maher will race in the 1500m final on Sunday afternoon, and O’Connor will run in the 3000m steeplechase final on Saturday evening.
Tomorrow will see Nick Griggs make his 5000m championship debut. Anna Gavigan will compete in the morning session in the women’s discus qualification.
