Following up the success of the 4x100m relay team, Sommer Lecky competed in the World U20 High-Jump final. Sommer, who turned 18 last month, brought home another silver medal for Team Ireland. Before this week, Ireland had only ever won two silver medals in the past 32 years of the World U20 Championships.
Sommer cleared 1.75m on her first attempt before following this up with a clearance of 1.80m and 1.84m. Sommer then jumped a lifetime best of 1.87m to move up to fourth.
The Finn Valley star smashed the National U20 Record with a superb clearance of 1.90. Belarus’ Karyna Taranda followed this up with a 1.90m jump herself as did Columbia’s Maria Fernanda Murillo,
With just three athletes left and guaranteed a medal, Sommer attempted 1.92m but was unlucky not to make it over, only fractionally missing the jump. In the end, it was silver for Sommer and two silver medals in consecutive days for Team Ireland. Belarus’ Karyna Taranda finished on top spot with a clearance of 1.92m.
With her clearance of 1.90, Sommer has qualified for the European Athletics Championships which take place in Berlin this August. Sommer was also Finn Valley's first ever World finalist, now medalist!
Sommer has been in sensational form and reached the final on Friday after clearing the bar in all her six attempts of 1.70m, 1.74m, 1.77m, 1.80m, 1.82m and 1.84m. The Finn Valley AC star, won the Belfast International 2018 Meet last month and beat Olympic silver medalist Mireal Demireva in February! Sommer has had a 2018 to remember and this is due reward for all thehard work she has put in with coach Niall Wilkinson.
What an incredible week it’s been for Irish Athletics and the diversity in disciplines which they have excelled in is the most impressive of all. With the Morton Games up next on the 19th July 2018, it provides a great opportunity for the home support to get down and show well deserved support!
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