O’Sullivan shines on World stage
Tessa Dennison
AN Riocht’s Niamh O’Sullivan competed at the World Master Championships in Malaga last week where 8,000 athletes from different continents travelled to represent their country at the highest level. She competed in two events which were the 8k cross-country and the 10k road race.
On Wednesday Niamh competed in the 8k World Masters Cross-Country Championships where she ran the race of her life in very challenging conditions and was rewarded for her efforts with a bronze World medal, covering the distance in a time of 31.12 minutes, just three seconds off silver medal position. The race was won by Esther Pedrosa of Spain in 30.44 with Sabine Holfer of Austria in second place in 31.09. Niamh was the first Irish women home in her age category where she lead her team along with Sue Zinay (16th) and Anne Gormley (36th) to a fifth place finish. A total of 44 athletes from 21 different countries competed that day.
On Sunday Niamh competed in the 10k road race at the World Masters Championships. Originally ranked seventh in her age category, Niamh exceeded all expectations and finished an excellent fourth place, narrowly missing out on another World Medal. The race was won by New Zealand’s Sally Gibbs in 37.10, with Sabine Holfer of Austria in second and Sweden’s Karin Schoen in third. A total of 45 athletes competed in the 10k.
Congratulations to an unbelievable athlete, a true ambassador for the sport and a role model to so many athletes, young and older.