Eric Favors smashed the national indoor shot put championship best on day one of the national indoor championship.
The championship best was 12 years old and set by Kieren Kelly with a best of 18.85 metres.
It took Favors just one throw this afternoon to re-write the record book with a throw of 19.22 metres. Favors second throw was an improvement to 19.48 metres.
Congrats to @FricEavors Eric Favors taking the @irishathletics Irish Indoor Championship Shot Put title with a new championship record of 19.48m. pic.twitter.com/QOuEEOgusU
— Field-Events Ireland (@ThrowsIreland) February 26, 2022
That was enough to win the national championship over two metres better than silver medallist James Kelly’s 17.33. Kelly’s Finn Valley clubmate Gavin McLaughlin took bronze with a best of 16.57 metres.
Elsewhere Charlotte Wingfield just missed out on a 200 metre medal finishing fourth in 24.64 seconds. Lauren Cadden of Sligo nipped bronze in 24.56. Gold went to Sharlene Mawdsley in 24.05 with Sarah Leahy second in 24.31.
Wigfield had won her heat in 24.56 seconds.
Mark Smyth won his 200 metre heat in 21.39 seconds but missed out on the final.
Meanwhile Stephen Fay finished second in the 3,000m B race in 8:38.91. Shane Spring took eighth place in 8:49.14. Daniel Stone took eighth place in the A race in 8.22.99.
Day two of the championships take place on Sunday with representation in four track finals secured.
Sophie Becker will race the 400 metre final having won heat 4 on Saturday in 54.77 seconds. While Cillian Kirwan will race the 800 metre final he finished second in heat two in 1:52.64.
Juan Ignacio Pena will make his Irish track final debut having posted 4:05.47 for third place in heat three of the 1500m. Luke Murphy posted 4:09.49 in his heat but did not progress to the final. In the women’s event Lucy Barrett clocked 4:48.39 but did not progress.
Niamh Kearny will be the fourth guaranteed Raheny finalist on Sunday in the 3,000 metres.
Also racing on Sunday are Charlotte Wingfield (Women’s 60 metres), Michael Farrelly and Sean L’Estrange (Men’s 60 metres).
Best wishes to all competing on day two.
