TOP OF THE WORLD
GALWAY teenager John Shortt enjoyed the most successful week yet of his ascendant career when taking home two gold medals and one bronze from the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Otopeni, Romania.
Victory in Sunday's 200m Backstroke final capped a meet to remember as the 18-year-old Roscam native led from start to finish and came home in a personal best time of 1:56.19, a new Irish Senior and Junior record, breaking his own previous best set in April.
Italy's Daniele Del Signore was second in 1:57.99, with David Melnychuk from the United States third in 1:58.13.
Shortt, who now swims for the National Centre in Limerick under coach John Szaranek, captured gold in last Wednesday's 100m Backstroke and bronze in Friday's 50m Backstroke.
“It’s been a long season, but to end it on such a high with a big PB, I couldn’t be happier,” Shortt said after the 200m Backstroke, his favourite event, on the final day of competition on the outskirts of the capital, Bucharest.
“Having my family, my coaches, my teammates here, it’s just been amazing and I’ve loved every bit of it."
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