Retiring Cowley set for new challenges

Sarah Cowley during the women's high jump at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. FILE

Rotorua Olympian Sarah Cowley has decided her time in international athletics has come to an end.

The 30-year-old, who finished ninth in the high jump at this year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, said it was simply the right time to make the decision.

She had spent more than half her life in athletics and said it was time to move on.

"Whilst I will really miss the rush of competing, I feel at this stage of my life I am ready for a new challenge," she said.

Cowley represented New Zealand at the 2012 London Olympics in the heptathlon before opting to focus on the high jump for this year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

She had also previously won the black singlet at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Her final international competition was the Continental Cup in Morocco in September where she was selected in the Asia Pacific team.

She ranks second on the New Zealand all-time lists in both high jump (1.91m) and heptathlon (6135 points) and will know turn her attention to completing her communications degree and a career in sports broadcasting.

She also attends to continue her work as a New Zealand Olympic Schools Ambassador.