SHANE RYAN HAS struck gold at the World University Games, setting a new Irish record as he won the 50m backstroke final in Taipei earlier.
In doing so, he pocketed Ireland’s first medal at this year’s edition and ended a 26-year wait for a swimming gold medal at the Games.
US-born Ryan clocked a time of 24.72 and had just one hundredth of a second to spare over American Justin Ress, who finished second.
The time catapults him up to 10th in the world, from 23rd.
Relive the magical moment as @shaneryanpsu wins gold for Ireland #SUTaipei2017 #WUG17IRL pic.twitter.com/8Ssl2zJ2Td
— StudentSport Ireland (@StudentSportIrl) August 23, 2017
Yesterday, he swam a time of 24.97, breaking his own record from 2016 and becoming the first Irish swimmer to record a time of under 25 seconds in the 50m backstroke.
Ryan’s feat follows Gary O’Toole’s swimming gold at the World University Games in 1991.
What a swim from @shaneryanpsu only Ireland's 2nd swimming Gold at a #WUG last was Gary O'Toole in 1991! @StudentSportIrl pic.twitter.com/Zr3aPO965C
— Swim Ireland (@swimireland) August 23, 2017
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