'Just really proud' - John Shortt wins gold medal in 200m backstroke final

The 18-year-old lands his first senior international medal and set a new world junior, European junior, and championship record in the process

John Shortt celebrates with his gold medal after winning the men's 200m backstroke final at the European Aquatics Championships in Poland on Wednesday. Pic: Nikola Krstic/Sportsfile.

Ireland’s John Shortt was crowned European 200m backstroke champion at the European Aquatics Championships in Poland on Wednesday night.

In winning his first senior international medal, the 2025 European and world junior champion set a new world junior record, European junior record, and championship record of 1:47.89, breaking Russian Kliment Kolesnikov’s 2017 standard of 1:48.02.