Robert Heffernan

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Robert Heffernan

Heffernan at the World Championships in 2009.
Personal information
Born (1978-02-28) February 28, 1978
Cork, Ireland
Height 1.71 m (5 ft 7 1⁄2 in)
Weight 58 kg (128 lb)
Spouse(s) Marian Heffernan
Sport
Country  Ireland
Sport Racewalking
Event(s) 20 km race walk, 50 km race walk
Medal record
Men's athletics
Competitor for  Ireland
World Championships
Gold 2013 Moscow 50 km walk

Robert "Rob" Heffernan (born 28 February 1978) is an Irish race walker.

Career

He competed at the 2008 Olympic Games, coming eighth in the 20km Walk. His wife Marian Andrews is also national women's 400 metres champion and was on the Irish women's team that finished 4th in the European indoors. On 27 July 2010, Heffernan finished fourth in the 20 km walk, in a time of 1:21:00 (only 11 seconds away from a bronze medal).[1] He also finished 4th in the 50km walk in a national record time of 3:45:30.This was an amazing achievement due to the fact it was just 3 days after the 20 km event.

At the 2012 Olympics, Heffernan finished ninth in the 20km race. A week later he finished fourth in the 50km, finishing seven minutes faster than the previous national record. The two performances were the top two performances for the Irish Athletics team at the 2012 Olympics.[2]

2013 World Championships

Main article: 2013 World Championships in Athletics

On 14 August 2013, Heffernan finished first in the 2013 World Championships in Athletics 50km event in Moscow, finishing over a minute clear of the silver medal position with a winning time of 3:37:56.[3][4][5] Speaking after the race Heffernan said "Its surreal, it's just a great feeling," he said. "When I came into the stadium it just felt like an out of body experience. It's hard to take it all in at the moment. I'm delighted." [6][7] The winning time was the fastest time in the world in 2013 by more than three minutes.[8][9][10]

Performance at major championships

Representing  Ireland
Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
2000 European Race Walking Cup Eisenhüttenstadt, Germany 18th 20 km 1:22:43
Olympic Games Sydney, Australia 28th 20 km 1:26:04
2001 European Race Walking Cup Dudince, Slovakia 17th 20 km 1:23:57
World Championships Edmonton, Canada 14th 20 km 1:25:02
2002 European Championships Munich, Germany 8th 20 km 1:21:10
2004 Olympic Games Athens, Greece — 20 km DSQ
2005 World Championships Helsinki, Finland — 20 km DSQ
2007 World Championships Osaka, Japan 6th 20 km 1:23:42
2008 Olympic Games Beijing, PR China 8th 20 km 1:20:36
2009 European Race Walking Cup Metz, France 4th 20 km 1:25:21
World Championships Berlin, Germany 15th 20 km 1:22:09
2010 European Championships Barcelona, Spain 4th 20 km 1:21:00
4th 50 km 3:45:30
2012 Olympic Games London, United Kingdom 9th 20 km 1:20:18
4th 50 km 3:37:54
2013 World Championships Moscow, Russia 1st 50 km 3:37:56

References

  1. ↑ O'Riordan, Ian (2010-07-28). "So near and yet so far for gallant Heffernan". The Irish Times (Irish Times Trust). Retrieved 2010-07-28. 
  2. ↑ "London can spur Rob to medal in Moscow, says Loughnane". Irish Examiner. 9 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013. 
  3. ↑ "Ireland’s Rob Heffernan strikes gold in 50km walk". The Irish Times. 2013-08-14. 
  4. ↑ "Rob Heffernan: It was a bonus that I destroyed everyone". Irish Independent. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013. 
  5. ↑ "'Proud' Heffernan: We are as good as anybody". Irish Examiner/BreakingNews.ie. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013. 
  6. ↑ "Robert Heffernan wins Ireland's first world gold for 18 years in 50km walk". Guardian. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013. 
  7. ↑ "Ireland’s Rob Heffernan claims gold at World Track and Field Championships". The Score. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013. 
  8. ↑ "LEESIDE LEGEND ROB GETS HIS JUST REWARD". Evening Echo. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013. 
  9. ↑ "Ireland celebrate first male world champion in 30 years as Heffernan seals 50km walk". Daily Mail. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2013. 
  10. ↑ "Rob Heffernan aiming for Rio after his 'Rocky' moment". Irish Independent. 15 August 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2013. 

External links

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