John Shortt (swimmer)
 John Shortt (IRL) competing at the World Aquatics Junior championships in 2025. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Nationality |  Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 7 February 2007 Galway, Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Swimming | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Strokes | Backstroke | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | National Centre Limerick | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coach | John Szaranek | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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John Shortt (born 7 February 2007) is an Irish competitive swimmer specializing in backstroke. He is a double gold medalist at the 2025 World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships and holds multiple Irish national records.[1][2]
Career
[edit]Shortt began swimming with Bluefin Swimming Club in Kilcornan, Clarinbridge, before joining the National Centre Limerick.[3] He first gained international recognition at the 2024 European Junior Swimming Championships in Vilnius, Lithuania, where he won gold in the 200 m backstroke (1:57.68) and silver in the 100 m backstroke (54.74).
In 2025, Shortt competed at the senior World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, finishing 15th in the 200 m backstroke (1:57.30) and 26th in the 100 m backstroke (54.26).
At the 2025 World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships in Otopeni, Romania, Shortt had a breakout performance, winning the 100-metre/200-metre backstroke double, along with the bronze medal in the 50-metre backstroke.:[4][5][6]
- Gold, 100 m backstroke: 53.86 seconds;
- Gold, 200 m backstroke: 1:56.19, setting both a new Irish senior and junior record
- Bronze, 50 m backstroke: 25.06 seconds
He became only the second Irish swimmer to win a World Junior title, following Mona McSharry in 2017.
Personal bests
[edit]| Event | Time | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50 m backstroke | 25.06 | 22 August 2025 | Otopeni, Romania |
| 100 m backstroke | 53.86 | 20 August 2025 | Otopeni, Romania |
| 200 m backstroke | 1:56.19 | 24 August 2025 | Otopeni, Romania |
Personal life
[edit]Shortt was born in Galway and attended Calasanctius College. He trains under coach John Szaranek at the National Centre Limerick. He has spoken about the importance of racing experience and mental preparation for major meets.
References
[edit]- ^ "Shortt strikes gold in 100m backstroke at World Juniors". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ "18-Year-Old John Shortt Fires Off 1:56.19 200 Backstroke Irish Record". SwimSwam. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ "John Shortt – World Aquatics Profile". World Aquatics. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ "Shortt is crowned World Junior 100m backstroke champion in Romania". Connacht Tribune. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ "John Shortt wins 50m Backstroke bronze at World Championships". The42.ie. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
- ^ "'So much pride getting up on the podium' – John Shortt celebrates winning World gold". MSN News. Retrieved 24 August 2025.
External links
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