The Irish athlete was a silver medallist for Northern Eire on the 2022 Commonwealth Video games in Birmingham, then completed thirteenth on the following yr’s World Championships and 14th on the Olympics in Paris.

She says she is going to permit herself a while over the festive interval to replicate on her seismic progress over current months, earlier than setting out her stall for 2026.

“It has been so pleasant and at instances I am simply wanting ahead to getting again into my routine and get again coaching for subsequent yr, however I’ve additionally acquired to understand that I did one thing particular this yr and simply relish that and benefit from the second.

“In the beginning of the yr I hadn’t got down to win 4 worldwide medals, my intention was to win one worldwide medal, however as soon as I acquired on the roll I realised that it was doable.

“I did not let something cease me and that is most likely one of many issues I learnt this yr, to by no means be small – be large, take up room, and know that you just belong in these type of locations.

“My outlook on sport is completely different and my expectations of myself are completely different and for the remainder of my athletics profession I’ll try to win medals. I am not simply there as a placeholder, I wish to be one of the best.”

O’Connor recorded 5 private bests throughout the seven occasions in ending runner-up on the Worlds in Tokyo, setting a brand new Irish nationwide file of 6,714 factors.

Earlier within the yr she managed a brand new Irish indoor pentathlon file of 4,683 factors on the Tallinn Mixed Occasions assembly in Estonia and gained the 800m and set 4 private bests in coming in third on the European Indoors.

She says she desires to compete in athletics professionally for the subsequent two Olympic cycles, with a gold medal her main ambition.

“My final objective is to get to the Olympics and to be on the rostrum and attempt to win a gold medal. I believe for those who’re not imagining your self doing that you just’re by no means going to get it.

“I’ll work actually exhausting till I get there. I totally consider that I can do it. Though I did nice issues this yr, I do know there’s a lot extra there. I am simply going to proceed constructing and see what else I can do.”