Ireland’s John Shortt has been crowned World Aquatics Junior Champion in the 100m Backstroke in Romania, adding global gold to his European Junior title from July and underscoring a breakthrough season for Irish swimming.
Shortt touched in 53.86, edging neutral athlete Georgii Iakovlev by 0.08 (53.94), with the USA’s Gavin Keogh taking bronze in 54.06. It was Shortt’s second-fastest time ever, just outside the Irish Junior Record (53.80) he set in Tuesday’s semi-final.
Turning third at halfway in 26.17, the National Centre Limerick swimmer powered home in 27.69 to take the title with a perfectly executed back-end.
“It feels pretty good—just so much pride at the minute,” said Shortt.
“Getting up there, singing my national anthem on a World stage… I’m just so proud to be Irish. It’s been a long season, but to end it like that is so cool.”
Shortt credited coach John Szaranek for the race plan.
“We had to be out with the guys after they were quicker to 50m last night. As long as I went with them, I knew I had a chance to come back quicker—and that’s exactly what happened.”
The victory places Shortt alongside Mona McSharry as Ireland’s only other World Junior Champion; McSharry won the 100m Breaststroke (and 50m Breaststroke bronze) in 2017.
The Limerick-based Shortt returns for the Men’s 50m Backstroke heats on Thursday morning, aiming to cap a stellar championships with another big swim.
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