Magnificent McMahon claims gold again

TEENAGE Irish swimming sensation Sycerika McMahon is shaking up the traditional powerhouses in Europe with a second gold medal in as many days at the Tasmajdan Swimming Complex in Serbia.

The Belfast swimmer smashed her own Irish junior record at the European Junior Swimming Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. Finishing the 400 metre freestyle in a time of 4:13.85, ahead of Britain’s Rachel Williamson (4:14.49) and Johanna Friedrich of Germany (4:14.59) she enhanced her reputation at the games.

Also in action yesterday was Bangor SC swimmer Luke Campbell in the 100m Freestyle, who finished outside his best in a time of 52.17 and Conor Turner (Aer Lingus SC) who finished in 16:05.78 in the 1500m Freestyle.

Philip Duffy (St Paul’s SC) and Nicholas Quinn (Castlebar SC) both competed in the heats of the 200m Individual Medley; Duffy finishing in a time of 2:11.89 and Quinn in 2:13.57. Neither progressed to the semi-finals.

Five Irish swimmers will compete today with McMahon swimming the 200m freestyle, where she is ranked first and the 100m butterfly.

Jane Roberts (Kilkenny SC) will also swim the 200m freestyle and the 50m backstroke. Nicholas Quinn (Castlebar SC), Peter Clarke (Limerick SC & HPC-UL) and Dan Sweeney (Sunday’s Well SC) take to the blocks in the 50m breaststroke heats.

Picture: SPORTSFILE