John Shortt claims second gold medal at world juniors

The 18-year-old from Galway had already won gold in the 100m backstroke, and bronze in the 50m backstroke. 

John Shortt was dominant in Sunday's 200m backstroke final at the World Junior Aquatics Championships. Pic: Ian MacNicol/Sportsfile

John Shortt claimed his second gold medal of the World Junior Aquatics Championships in Romania with victory in the 200m backstroke final. The win added to the gold which he won in the 100m backstroke on Wednesday, and bronze in the 50m backstroke on Friday.

Shortt was dominant in Sunday's final, swimming 1:56.19, touching the wall 1.8 seconds ahead of silver medallist Daniele Del Signore of Italy and bronze medallist David Melnychuk of USA who was another 0.14 back. Shortt's time was a new Irish senior and junior record, breaking the 1:56.61 he swam at the Irish Open in April.