Kate O'Connor claimed the heptathlon title at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, becoming Northern Ireland's first Commonwealth athletics champion since 1986.

The Ulster University graduate achieved the gold medal performance in her third appearance at the Games. She had placed eighth in 2018 and took silver in Birmingham four years ago.

O'Connor completed an MSc in Communication and Public Relations at Ulster University in 2025, combining her studies with elite sport through the institution's Performance Scholarship programme.

The victory builds on a series of international podium finishes for O'Connor, including World Athletics indoor and outdoor silver medals, which have cemented her reputation among the world's leading heptathletes.

Ulster University welcomed the achievement and expressed its continued support for O'Connor's career on the international stage.