Nothing was going to derail Robert Heffernan’s goal of winning the world 50km race walk title yesterday — not even his own team-mate knocking him down while driving behind him on a 40km walk at a high altitude training camp in Ifrane, Morocco back in April.

Coaches and teachers who have helped Rob Heffernan since he was a boy paid tribute to an athlete who started out in Togher and went all the way to the top of the world.

Kelly Proper took athlete of the championships after taking four gold medals at the Woodies DIY national track and field championships.

Sarah Lavin picked up Ireland’s sole medal of the European Junior Championships in Rieti, crossing the line second in a dramatic 100m hurdles final on Saturday.

Robert Heffernan was a frustrated figure after his ninth place finish in 1:23:26 over 20km at the European Cup of Race Walking in Dudince, Slovakia yesterday as he took a heavy fall at 12km when in contention.

Inside the top six at the Olympic Games, multiple European and World Championships competitor and still Rob Heffernan continues in his quest to secure a first international medal.

Colin Griffin achieved the 50k standard for the Olympic Games at the IAAF World Cup of Race Walking in Saransk, Russia over the weekend.