Record sees Proper seal world indoors spot

KELLY PROPER of Ferrybank AC, pictured, booked her place at the IAAF World Indoor championships after setting another national long jump record at the Vienna Indoor Gala on Saturday.

The Waterford athlete jumped 6.62m – 3cm further than her previous Irish record set at the European Indoors in Turin last year and 2cm inside the mark required to qualify for the showpiece event in Doha in March. Proper finished first in the Austrian meet ahead of Lauma Griva of Latvia (6.27m). The Ferrybank athlete broke the record in her final jump after hitting 6.55m in her fifth attempt. The former Irish Examiner National Junior Sports Star, who is coached by Alan and Bríd Golden, was delighted with her weekend’s work.

“Definitely since I went back training in September the goal has been to secure qualification for the World Indoors.

“When I got up yesterday, I felt great, my legs couldn’t feel any better. I knew if I executed all my technical points that I would make the qualification mark. And I did. I’m delighted.”