Karen Shinkins has won 400 metres bronze in Vienna, capping a fine European Indoor Championships for both Shinkin’s herself and the Irish team.
The Irish athlete was just pipped for silver by Claudia Marx of Germany while Russia’s Natalya Antyukh, quickest in the heats, claimed the gold.
Having performing well in Friday’s semi-final, the 25-year-old from Newbridge, who now trains in Atlanta, was fancied for a medal and felt she could challenge Antyukh for the gold.
But in a highly-competitive final, Shinkins clocked 52.17 seconds, not quite as fast as she managed on Friday, and had to settle for bronze.
The Irish record holder over the same distance expressed disappointment immediately after the race but will surely reflect later on a fine individual performance. Shinkin’s bronze is the first 400 metres medal won in any major championship by an Irish athlete.
Shinkins was lying in third position after the first 200 but she was unable to cover the race-winning break of Natalya Antyukh.
As the Russian powered away to victory in 51.65 seconds, Shinkins became involved in a desperate battle for the runner-up slot against Claudia Marx.
It went right to the wire before the German inched ahead for a slender 0.02 second victory.
It still remained a tremendous achievement from Shinkins, who dived over the finishing line - ending up flat on her face - in a desperate attempt to snatch silver.
Shinkins said: "It was a very fast race with a lot of movement, pushing and change of positions but it had a good atmosphere.
"I was hoping to win gold, yes. I was also close to silver and it's disappointing for that reason."
But the result proved that after her disappointment in the Sydney Olympics, Shinkins is able hold her own in a world-class field.
Women's 400 metres final result:
1. Natalya Antiukh (Russia) 51.65 seconds
2. Claudia Marx (Germany) 52.15
3.
Karen Shinkins(Ireland) 52.17
4. Natalya Ivanova (Russia) 52.23
5. Yulia Pechenkina (Russia) 52.91
6. Catherine Murphy (Britain) 52.98