Wragby athlete breaks national record with medal-winning throw

The day started very well with the heavyweight hammer, the event in which Gillespie holds the Irish record.

The first two throws of around nine metres were solid enough, before he unleashed an effort of 9.52m on his final throw.

The distance surpassed his national record by 15cm and helped clinch the silver medal.

“I was absolutely blown away,” he said.

Gillespie then performed when it mattered in the discus to help him land a bronze medal.

He added: “The discus has been a bit up and down this season and didn’t start well with my first two efforts out at 25.50m.

“But my final effort was my best this season, 28.42m, which enabled me to snatch the bronze.”

* Next weekend Gillespie will compete at the Midlands Heavyweight Hammer Pentathlon and the Midlands one-handed Hammer Championships, in Derby.