It is another remarkable achievement for the Emerald AC athlete, breaking the record 13 years to the day that O’Rourke set it.
Sarah Lavin made history at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest last night as she broke the Irish 100m Hurdles record time.
Finishing her semi-final in 12.62, the Limerick native beat the record set by Derval O’Rourke by three hundredths of a second.
However, it wasn’t enough to reach the finals with Lavin missing out, finishing fifth in an extremely competitive race.
Still it is another remarkable achievement for the Emerald AC athlete, 13 years to the day that O’Rourke set it.
“I’m sorry Derval!”
Sarah lavin
After powering into the semi-finals on Tuesday evening, Lavin admitted it would probably need an Irish record to make the finals but in a stacked field she came up just short.
American Keni Harrison took first spot in 12:33 with Lavin missing out on the top four by seven hundredths of a second.
Talking to David Gillick in the aftermath, the Limerick native was happy with her performance but says there is more in the tank.
“”Finally, fastest Irishwoman to ever do this,” she said. It survived 13 years. There’s 13 years to the day between Derval and me, such a weird synchronicity.
“I’m sorry Derval, but you did make me work bloody tough for it!
“I’ve ran 12.6 three times this year, it wasn’t like I pulled it from the sky. I really wanted to get into the 50s today and I believed it was possible. I made an error on nine, that’s a mistake, a costly one.
“I was right there in the mix. In the next twelve months, I need to get there.”
And the Limerick star is not content on another milestone as she outlined her aim for the 2024 Olympics in Paris next summer.
“Paris Olympics, why not aim for the final. No Irish woman has made the finals for any sprint, it’s a big ask.”
As the months tick rapidly towards Paris, at Lavin’s current rate she is set to make more history next summer.
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