Conor Callinan continues to reach for the skies

The 17-year-old Leevale pole vaulter is the Irish U18 and U20 indoor record holder, clearing 4.65m last year and 4.75m last month to set those respective marks. And like many great vaulters, he comes from a gymnastics background.

Conor Callinan of Leevale AC, Cork, competing during the AAI National Indoor Games & Indoor League Final at the National Indoor Arena. 

There are certain qualities you need to be an accomplished pole vaulter: good speed, great strength and superb gymnastic elasticity – the kind it takes to slingshot yourself five metres in the air and arc your body over a bar with a highly-specialised act of contortion.

Conor Callinan has all of the above. The 17-year-old Leevale athlete is the Irish U18 and U20 indoor record holder, clearing 4.65m last year and 4.75m last month to set those respective marks. And like many great vaulters, he comes from a gymnastics background.