Relentless O'Donovan is a World wonder as he roars to brilliant gold in Canada

Skibbereen's finest follows up his historic Paris heroics with solo World Rowing Championships glory in St. Catherine's taking emphatic lightweight single sculls title

Sat, 24 Aug, 2024 - 21:38

Joe Callaghan

Mere weeks after securing the second Olympic gold medal of his career in Paris, Paul O'Donovan was back atop the podium as the Irishman roared to a brilliant world title in Canada.

The Skibbereen native claimed the gold medal in the men's lightweight single sculls at the 2024 World Rowing Championships in St. Catherine's, just a short hop from Niagara Falls.

O'Donovan's status as Ireland's own world wonder was solidified in the French capital alongside Fintan McCarthy in the lightweight double sculls in Paris three weeks ago as he picked up a medal at his third-straight Games. But there was no rest for the 30-year-old who immediately jetted across the Atlantic to compete at the event for non-Olympic classes.

Watch a living legend at work, as Paul O’Donovan wins his SEVENTH world title with a dominant performance in the lightweight men's single sculls final at the World Rowing Championships! He's a winning machine. pic.twitter.com/p2j3r97ulF
— Kieran McCarthy (@KieranMcC_SS) August 24, 2024

After powering through his heats and semi-final, O'Donovan was among a classy field for Saturday's decider. Less than a second separated the entire field as they passed the 500m mark. O'Donovan had moved into second place behind his Greek rival Antonios Papakonstantinou prior to the 1500m mark and then made his move to the front of proceedings.

From there it was vintage O'Donovan who put all comers to the sword. He crossed the line comfortably clear in 6:49.68 with Papakonstantinou 2.22 seconds back in second and Niels Torre of Italy taking bronze.

"I'm a little bit tired but that's to be expected. It was very close in the first stages and then the Greek took off and I was like 'oh I better follow him, he's pretty dangerous'. I had to go with him. I tracked him down in the end and got a little bit ahead. I just kept working to avoid a sprint at the finish...I was happy to cross the line in the front position."

What a legend - three weeks after his gold medal in Paris, Paul O'Donovan of @RowingIreland is back with another gold medal, this time in the lightweight men's single sculls. Is he Ireland's greatest ever athlete?#WRCHStCatharines #WorldRowingChamps pic.twitter.com/wlRILZ31qp
— World Rowing (@WorldRowing) August 24, 2024

In victory O'Donovan added a staggering seventh global crown to his resume. He'd won World Championships doubles titles in 2018, '19, 2022 and '23 but Saturday's victory was his third solo glory and bridged a gap all the way back to his 2016 and '17 world singles titles.

When asked about a seventh world title afterwards, O'Donovan smirked and answered in typical fashion: "I think I was dragged along for most of them by other people so I can't take credit for that!"

With Tricolours flying in the stands, O'Donovan did a trademark leap to the top of podium for the medal presentations and stood proudly as Amhrán na bhFiann rang out.

HOW SWEET IT IS: Paul O'Donovan of Ireland celebrates after winning the lightweight men's single sculls final at the World Rowing Championships at Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course in St Catharines, Canada. Photo by Stephen Leithwood/Sportsfile

In the race preceding O'Donovan's, Galway's Siobhan McCrohan claimed bronze in the women's lightweight single sculls. The 37-year-old was bidding to retain the global crown she claimed in Belgrade last year however faced a tough battle with Romania's Ionela Livia Cozmiuc, a silver medallist in the doubles in Paris, coming out on top.

McCrohan was in the silver spot coming close to the line but a late charge from Greece's Zoi Fitsiou pushed the Irishwoman back into third.

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