Kate O’Connor on Verge of History – Irish Star Set to Deliver First-Ever Global Medal in Heptathlon

Ireland is just two events away from celebrating an athletics milestone. Kate O’Connor, sitting fourth overall after five of seven gruelling events in the women’s heptathlon, has put herself in prime position to win Ireland’s first ever global outdoor medal in the combined events – and possibly even snatch silver.

After a stellar second day that included a strong long jump (6.22m), O’Connor has accumulated 4,824 points, leaving her right in the mix with just the javelin (11:00) and 800m (13:11) remaining.

Medal Momentum Building

Anna Hall (USA) continues to lead with 5,041 points, and looks set for gold barring disaster. Taliyah Brooks (USA) is second on 4,930 points, with Great Britain’s Katarina Johnson-Thompson (4,874) just ahead of O’Connor.

But history suggests this is where the Irishwoman comes into her own. O’Connor has a personal best of 55.17m in the javelin – comfortably ahead of many of her rivals – which could vault her into a medal position before the final 800m.

With her recent 800m clocking of 2:10.46 at the World University Games, she could seal the deal and climb as high as second overall if she maintains her form.

Thiam Out – Door Wide Open

Two-time Olympic champion Nafissatou Thiam’s withdrawal earlier in the competition has blown the medal race wide open. With Thiam gone, the path is clear for a new name on the podium – and O’Connor is the one taking full advantage.

What It Would Mean

No Irish athlete has ever stood on a World Championships heptathlon podium. O’Connor, who has already broken the Irish record for total points at this stage, is competing in what could become a career-defining day.

A medal here would not just cement her status as Ireland’s greatest ever combined events athlete but could inspire a new generation of young multis athletes across the country.

Predicted Podium

• Gold: Anna Hall (USA)
• Silver: Kate O’Connor (IRE)
• Bronze: Katarina Johnson-Thompson (GBR)

Ireland will be watching closely as the final two events play out. With just hours to go, Kate O’Connor looks ready to make history.

Kate O’Connor Heptathlon Preview: Full Schedule (Irish Times) & Medal Chances

The women’s heptathlon promises to be one of the highlights of the championships, and Irish fans have a real reason to watch closely as Kate O’Connor looks to make history. The 23-year-old from Dundalk is aiming to become the first Irish woman to win a global medal in the event.

American Anna Hall is the clear favourite for gold at 4/7, followed by defending champion Nafissatou Thiam (9/4) and Britain’s Katarina Johnson-Thompson (11/2). Those three are odds-on for medals, but the battle for bronze could be decided by just a handful of points.

“The one thing about winning medals for these events now is that it does increase the pressure, the expectation levels from people watching on,” O’Connor, who begins her heptathlon challenge on Friday morning.

O’Connor’s 6,487-point haul at the World University Games in Germany is the fifth best of 2025, although Olympic champion Nafi Thiam from Belgium and Great Britain’s world champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson have yet to record a score this season.

“I’ve got an idea in my head if things go really, really well, what could happen but I just want to turn up and just enjoy the competition.

“If I could, I would love to string together seven performances that I’m really proud of.”

Kate O’Connor’s Full Schedule (Irish Times)

• Day 7 – Friday, 19 September
  Kate O’Connor – Heptathlon Events
  • 100m Hurdles (Heat 1): 13:44PB – 1059pts
  • High Jump (Group A): 10:20 (18:20)
  • Shot Put (Group B): 12:30 (20:30)
  • 200m (Heat 1): 13:38 (21:38)
• Day 8 – Saturday, 20 September
  03:30 – Long Jump | 11:00 – Javelin | 13:11 – 800m (final event)

Medal Chances

O’Connor is priced at 9/2 to claim a medal and 50/1 for gold. Her strongest events are the javelin and long jump, where she can claw back points on the leaders. If she stays competitive in the hurdles, high jump and 200m, she could head into the 800m with a real shot at bronze.

Her main rivals for the podium outside the “big three” include Annik Kalin (5/2) of Sweden and Finland’s Saga Vanninen (7/2). Sofie Dokter (NED) and Taliyah Brooks (USA) are also strong competitors.

Prediction

Gold: Likely to be a duel between Hall and Thiam, with Johnson-Thompson a live threat if she produces her best.
Bronze: Wide open – and Kate O’Connor is right in the mix. Expect a thrilling finish with the possibility of an Irish medal on the line in the final 800m.