JOHN KELLY smashed his Ulster, Donegal and FInn Valley AC shot put records three times this afternoon.
Kelly threw a best of 18.50 metres at the International Throwing Meet in Leiria, Portugal.
Just two weeks ago, Kelly broke the 18-metre barrier for the first time when he reached out to 18.01m in Sweden.
Last weekend, after a best of 17.60m saw him win silver at the Irish Life Health National Senior Championships in Santry, the St Johnston man outlined his aim to get over that magical line on a regular basis.
“For me, it was more of a wall I broke through. It’s been there. It’s been hit in training and competition and it was aggravating for me,” Kelly said. “To actually see me over 18 metres on paper takes some stress off my back. Now, if I can figure things out, hopefully I’ll get over that 18 line more consistently.”
This afternoon in Portugal, Kelly set a new PB of 18.34m with his second throw, setting new bests at Ulster, Donegal and club levels.
The Finn Valley AC ace went better again when he landed the shot at 18.37m before a massive 18.50m raised the mark for the third time.
Kelly’s 18.50m saw him finish in fourth. Portugal’s Tsanko Arnaudov won gold with a 20.39m best while Francisco Belo, also from Portugal, was second with a 19.68 throw. Ireland’s Eric Favors, the winner of last weekend’s Irish Senior Championship title, was third.
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