Michael O'Connor wins the World Athletics 2025 Coaching Achievement Award

O'Connor has been coaching his daughter Kate for the past 15 years which culminated in Kate earning silver medals at the World Athletics Championships in Tokoyo and the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing this season.

Sat, 29 Nov, 2025 - 12:00

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Ireland combined events coach Michael O'Connor has been named the winner of the World Athletics 2025 Coaching Achievement Award.

O'Connor's career has spanned more than two decades with his path into sport beginning through a degree in construction and a postgraduate certificate in education - a route that equipped him with skills in planning, structure and long-term goal setting which shaped the foundation of his coaching philosophy.

O'Connor has been coaching his daughter Kate for the past 15 years which culminated in Kate earning silver medals at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo and the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing this season as she became the first Irish athlete to earn senior global medals in combined events. She also won gold at the World University Games and bronze at the European Indoors to mark a breakthrough year for the 24-year-old.

Speaking on winning the award a shocked O'Connor said “I am truly surprised and deeply grateful to receive this honour.

“My coaching journey has taken many twists and turns, and I’ve been fortunate to be supported along the way by many exceptional coaches and practitioners, many of whom I’m privileged to still work alongside today. Their expertise, dedication, and unwavering belief continue to shape and elevate the work we do every day.

“It has been a privilege and a joy to coach this athlete and to witness her achieve extraordinary things in recent years,” he added. “I am humbled by this recognition and profoundly thankful to my current coaching and support network, whose commitment makes achievements like this possible, and to everyone who has been part of the journey.”

The journey for the father daughter duo has been marked by resilience, careful planning and a shared commitment of excellence which all came to fruition in 2025 with Kate setting five personal bests on her way to silver at the World Championships. Her remarkable year also earned her the Athlete of the Year awards at the National Athletics Awards held on Wednesday.

Committed to lifelong learning, O'Connor has surrounded himself with world-class practitioners and sought mentorship from some of the most respected figures in global coaching. This network has helped him to remain at the forefront of performance methodology, continually refining his approach to elevate the athletes he works with.

O'Connor is known for his meticulous approach and is equally focused on technical detail and long-term strategic planning. He has an athlete-centred philosophy that not only ensures performance excellence but a supportive environment that allows continuous growth for both himself and his athletes.

The Coaching Achievement Award is part of the World Athletics Awards and further announcements of the World Athletes of the Year and Rising Stars will be revealed at the awards ceremony in Monaco on November 30.