Fifth in Europe for Shortt on Day Two of Racing

Ireland’s John Shortt finished fifth in Europe this evening on the second day of the 2025 European Aquatics Junior Championships in Samorin, Slovakia.  

The National Centre Limerick swimmer returned to the blocks this evening to compete in the 50m Backstroke Final. Shortt swimming in an outside lane, came through one length of the water in an impressive 25.46, setting a new lifetime best and just .16 off the bronze medal, won by neutral athlete Mikhail Shcherbakovov in 25.30. 

Speaking directly after the race, Shortt said, “I’m quite happy with that, another personal best. It’s about re-learning how to swim that race, especially outdoors, I executed everything I wanted to do really well there. I’m a little bit annoyed to miss out on a medal but I am happy overall.” 

Ahead of the 200m Backstroke heat tomorrow, the reigning European Junior champion and top seed added, “It’s a big confidence boost because the 200m is my main thing, it’s good to feel where everyone is at, I think I’m in a really good spot. I’m just proud to be out there, Phelim (Hanley) mentioned it earlier how he dreamt of wearing the green jacket and that’s what I needed to be thinking about tonight. The medals are lovely, but it’s about being proud to wear the green jacket, those comments from him earlier were really inspiring.” 

On inspiring the other team members, Shortt said: “For some of these guys it’s there first time at a European Juniors, I remember my first Juniors two years ago, it’s a really hard thing to go and do, they’ve really stepped up with some good swims and I’m just proud to be maybe giving them a hand as we progress through the week.” 

For Shortt, the attention now turns to the 200m Backstroke event, an event the Galway man won gold in at the 2024 iteration of this meet. It is a busy morning in Samorin for Ireland with ten athletes in action across the heats, set to get underway at 8:30am (IRL). 

                                                                                   

European Aquatics Junior Championships Day 2 Finals Results 

Men 50m Backstroke Final                      John Shortt                     H 25.51 (3rd), PB, SF 25.63 (7th), F 25.46 (5th) PB 

European Aquatics Junior Championships Day 3 Heats Schedule  

Women 200m Backstroke Adeline Cloutier 

Men 100m Butterfly Sean Donnellan, Thomas Bugler, Phelim Hanley, Matthew Hamilton 

Men 200m Backstroke John Shortt 

Women 200m Breaststroke Niamh Connery 

Men 50m Freestyle Rueben Alty, Matthew Hamilton 

Men 200m Breaststroke Adam Bradley 

   

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