High jumper Ryan wins sports accolade
High jumper Deirdre Ryan has been named The Irish Times / Irish Sports Council ‘Sportswoman of the Month’ for the month of August.
The 29-year-old Dubliner has had a memorable summer so far, finishing sixth at the World Championships in Daegu, South Korea. She reached the final by breaking her own national record.
She secured the London Olympic A qualification standard of 1.95 metres, winning a place in next summer’s games.
Considering she tore ligaments in both ankles in the past year having already struggled with injury problems, it’s been a remarkable summer for the high jumper.
By achieving the A-standard for 2012 Ryan secured herself “world class” status in the Irish Sports Council’s grant system which is worth €20,000 over the next two seasons. She is now considering going full-time in the build up to London, having combined work with her sport until now.
