IT’S no secret that Nicola Tuthill’s star is rising – and the latest evidence is a new addition to her trophy collection.

The Kilbrittain athlete, who turns 22 later this month, was crowned U23 Athlete of the Year at the 123.ie National Athletics Awards ceremony held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Santry, Dublin. It’s further proof that the trailblazing Irish hammer thrower is moving firmly in the right direction after her best year yet.

Nicola made headlines in 2024 when she became an Olympian, and she continued her upward trajectory throughout 2025. There was gold in her U23 event at the European Throwing Cup in Cyprus in March, making her the first Irish athlete ever to win gold at this competition.

Award winner Nicola Tuthill with her parents Norman and Colette.

Next came a superb summer: silver at both the World University Games and the European U23 Championships, the former marking Nicola’s first medal on the world stage.

In her first senior World Athletics Championships, held in Tokyo, Nicola finished 11th in the world. She also won her fourth senior women’s hammer title at the national championships in August, producing a new personal best of 71.75 metres, which also stands as the national U23 hammer record.

Another year of positives, progress and podiums, as Nicola Tuthill continues to push forward. Exciting times ahead.

Also at the awards, Kate O’Connor was crowned Athlete of the Year after winning silver in the heptathlon at the World Championships, gold at the World University Games, and medals at both the World and European Indoor Championships.