Champion of the world

SHE came, she jumped, she conquered. Cork woman Derval O’Rourke hurdled her way to stunning gold medal success at the World Indoor Championships in Moscow at the weekend.

Blazing her way to the winner’s podium in the women’s 60 metre hurdles, the Leevale athlete also twice broke the Irish record on her sprint to glory. Derval’s performance in the Olympiski Stadium on Saturday makes her the first Irishwoman to win a gold medal at the World Indoor Athletics Championships.

The 24-year-old from Hillcourt Estate, Douglas, Cork, just held off Spain’s Glory Alozie in a blanket finish to take the title and the €34,000 winner’s prize.