Dobriskey finished just behind defending champ Maryam Yusuf Jamal

The parents of Lisa Dobriskey say it is a "miracle" that she managed to win a silver medal at the Athletics World Championships in Berlin.

The Ashford-born runner was upgraded from bronze to silver after Natalia Rodriguez was disqualified for pushing Gelete Burka, who fell on the last lap.

"It's a major miracle that she actually got to the start line," Lisa's father, Mike, told BBC Radio Kent.

"She had a really bad year with pretty major injuries to come back from."

Dobriskey, 25, suffered a stress fracture to her back followed by a thigh injury before the World Championships.

It's not an awful four minutes, but it's so stressful. I'm sure one day I'll probably end up having a heart attack or something. Mary Dobriskey

Her family were not in Berlin to witness her performance, choosing instead to watch it at home in France.

"It was fantastic," continued Dobriskey's father. "All the family were here and we just sat there screaming at the television. It was quite emotional."

Dobriskey's mother, Mary, added: "I just cannot describe how proud I feel of her.

"I desperately wanted her to get a medal because I knew she was capable of it and had put a lot of hard work in.

"I think deep down inside I didn't care where she came.

"Obviously a medal was wonderful as she wanted it so badly, but there was no pressure or anything. Just to see her in the final after the year she's had was everything."

After just missing out on a medal at the Beijing Olympics, where she finished fourth, Mike admitted the world silver medal is her greatest achievement so far.

"They're all so special and it's been a long learning process. The Commonwealth gold came as a bit of a surprise to us.

"Obviously we were all devastated after the Olympics because she was just so close, but this one was just unbelievable - this is the cherry on the cake."

And having come second at the World Championships, the family are positive for the Olympics in 2012.

Dobriskey's father added: "Who knows? As Lisa said, there's a lot more in the tank and it's just come at a perfect time for her with the build-up."

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