John Shortt won 100m backstroke gold in 53.17 seconds. Bryan Keane/INPHO

John Shortt smashes his own national record on second night of Irish Open Championships

Shortt ‘a bit disappointed’ not to break 53-second barrier in winning 100m backstroke gold.

GALWAY TEENAGER JOHN Shortt swam the fourth-fastest time in the world this year as he set a new Irish 100m backstroke record on the second night of the Irish Open Championships.

Shortt clocked a blistering 53.17 seconds to win in Bangor, taking a full two-tenths of a second off the record he set in Paris a fortnight ago.

“Yeah it was a good race,” the 19-year-old said afterwards. “I’m going to have to check the splits and see what I was, but yeah, really good race.

“Kind of a bit disappointed, wanted to be 52 but you can’t have it all your own way – can’t be too angry at a 53 low.”

mona-mcsharry Mona McSharry won gold in the 50m breaststroke. Bryan Keane / INPHO Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO

Also on Thursday, American-born Jack Kelly boosted his hopes of representing Ireland at the upcoming European Championships with a national record 26.84 to win the 50m breaststroke.

Olympic bronze medallist Mona McSharry took gold in the 50m breaststroke in a time of 30.43, while Dubliner Ellen Walshe (3:39.38) added the 400m individual medley title to the 200m butterfly gold which she won on Wednesday.

ellen-walshe Ellen Walsh already has two gold medals to her name this week. Bryan Keane / INPHO Bryan Keane / INPHO / INPHO

James Ward and Rosalie Phelan won gold in the men’s and women’s 50m butterfly respectively, Liam Custer won the men’s 400m individual medley, and Lottie Cullen won the women’s 100m backstroke.

Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel

     
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds