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John Shortt takes 200m backstroke to strike gold again at the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships

John Shortt has three medal to show for his week's work in Romania
John Shortt has three medal to show for his week's work in Romania

Victory in the 200m backstroke final saw Galway's John Shortt pick up a second gold medal at the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Otopeni, Romania.

Shortt, who led from the first length, came home in a personal-best time of one minute 56.19 seconds, a new Irish senior and junior record, breaking the 1:56.61 he swam at the Irish Open in April.

Daniele Del Signore was second in 1:57.99, with third spot going to the USA's David Melnychuk in 1:58.13.

Earlier in the week the 18-year-old took gold in the 100m backstroke to add to a bronze in the 50m backstroke.

The morning heats also saw Shortt lead throughout the race, where he posted a time of 1:57.53.

A delighted Shortt spoke after the race and said: 'It's been a long season, but to end it on such a high with a big pb, I couldn’t be happier. Having my family, my coaches, my teammates here, it’s just been amazing, and I’ve loved every bit of it."

On the time, he added: ‘It’s not bad, but you know, as my amazing coach John would say ‘it can always be better’, but I’m very glad to get away with the gold and a new senior record and junior record, I’m pretty proud of that.

"The first 100 I was like ‘this is cool’, ‘this is great’, and the last 50 I was like ‘ow this really hurts, please make it stop’, but then I was at the wall and I finished and I realised I’d won and was like class."

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