 Derval O'Rourke celebrates her 60 metres hurdles win |
Derval O'Rourke improved her Irish 100m metres hurdles record to 12.92 when finishing fourth in the B race in Lausanne on Tuesday evening. This year's World Indoor Champion's time cut .04secs off her previous mark.
O'Rourke finished behind heptathlon star Eunice Barber (12.80), Spain's Glory Alozie (12.82) and Danielle Carruthers of the USA (12.91).
The Irish athlete has been troubled by a groin injury since winning the world indoors in March.
The A race in Lausanne was won by American Michelle Perry in 12.43 and the top European was Germany's Kirsten Bolm who took fourth in 12.65.
In fact, the eighth-placer in the A race, Jamaica's Delloreen Ennis-London (12.76) was also significanty faster that O'Rourke's new Irish record.
O'Rourke is likely to have to run under 12.70 to have a genuine medal chance at next month's European Championships in Gothenburg.
However, her indoor form from earlier this year suggests that she is capable of making a major improvement from her 12.92 best.
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