Lara finishes a brilliant sixth

DONORE Harriers Lara O’Byrne finished a fantastic sixth with 6570 points after two days of competition at the Women’s World Decathlon Championship in Ohio.

In the process she got a number of PBs and club records in hot conditions including 11.14 in the shot put and 3.13 in the pole vault.

The pole vault in particular was epic with Lara from Lucan going from 2.45 vault to a new PB mark of 3.13.

This event attracted competitors from across the world and Lara is the first Irishwoman to compete in a decathlon.

The event finishes with a 1500m instead of the heptathlon 800m and includes the extra events of pole vault and discus and 100m and a 400m instead of 200m.

Coach Gerry Ronan paid tribute to his athlete’s achievements and thanked all those who stayed up to tune in to the livestream.

“Four PBs, one SB, two club records and a new national record.

“An inaugural event for World Athletics and a long way from IAAF or Olympic acceptance, but 19 countries took part and its a historic step on the road to full equality/parity for women in athletics.

“A different event from Heptathlon requiring a broader range of physical abilities and far greater endurance and speed endurance levels, it was long thought to be beyond women.

“So well done Lara, and nice to see a Donore athlete being part of it.

“Her two hour stint in the pole vault in the baking sun made her the focus of the commentary team for most of the day.

“She did the club proud”

“Huge well done to Lara on this groundbreaking achievement”.