ATHLETICS: Wragby's Gillespie impresses at indoor championships

It was an open event which meant that any athlete the world over can come to take part – and they did. Jim found himself up against Americans, Australians, Cypriots, Russians and Polish, to name but a few. He contested the discus, shot-put and heavyweight hammer events.

First up was the discus on Saturday whenn Jim threw a season’s best of 26.87m, placing fifth, his best ever placing in that event at that level.

On Sunday, the shot-put came first. Jim has been chasing nine metres all year, and in this competition it finally happened, but not only nine metres, he produced a personal best of 9.08m to finish a very pleasing sixth.

Finally for Jim was the heavyweight hammer event. He opened with a no-throw but on his next attempt he caught it just right and went past his own national record with 9.07m.

Jim was feeling good and with his final two throws he achieved 9.17m and 9.33m.

Jim said: “I’d started the competition with a personal best of 8.64m, which was the Irish national record, and broken it three times, get in. I placed sixth, once again really pleasing.

“I’ve got one more winter competition next weekend, down in Swindon. It’s a throws triathlon, so I’m going to have another crack at my record in that event, which I set in January.”