Ireland’s Kate O’Connor claimed a historic silver medal in the women’s heptathlon with a superb performance at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.

The 24-year-old finished with 6,714 points to finish second behind gold medallist Anna Hall of the United States after registering five personal bests across the two days of competition.

It is Ireland’s first global outdoor medal in the multi-events and O’Connor’s fourth medal in 2025.

On Friday, O’Connor recorded three PBs in the 100m hurdles, high jump, 200m to sit second behind Hall and put herself firmly in medal contention at the Japan National Stadium.

She dropped to fourth early in day two, 50 points off a podium place following a 6.22m jump in the long jump.

The Newry-born athlete responded superbly in the javelin with another PB of 53.06m on her first throw.

That set a new national record and topped the field which helped her move in front of American Taliyah Brooks and into second in the standings.

In the final event, the 800m, O’Connor produced another stunning run for a fifth PB in seven events with a time of 2.09.56.