Congratulations again to Irish swimmers Conor Ferguson and Antoinette Neamt have won Silver and Bronze medals on Day 2 of the European Youth Olympics in Tbilisi, Georgia.
Larne’s Conor Ferguson was Ireland’s first medallist securing Silver in the Final of the 100m Backstroke. 16 year old Ferguson was ranked 2nd going into the Final after he won his semi-final yesterday in 56.61. He held that position in the Final bettering his time to 56.44 to claim the medal, holding off Poland’s Kacper Stokowski to Bronze in 56.97. Spain’s Hugo De Oliveira won Gold in 55.78 seconds.
Tallaght and Swim Ireland Performance Centre swimmer Antoinette Neamt was next to take her medal in an extremely close race. The 14 year old, swimming in the 800m Freestyle, clocked 8 minutes 47.12 seconds to win Bronze, just .13 of a second behind Silver medallist Petra Barocsai of Hungary. The 800m Freestyle Gold medal went to Barocsai’s Hungarian team mate Ajna Kesely in 8:44.72.
The two medals are first International medals for Neamt and Ferguson, both are also ranked in the top three in their final events this week, the Girl’s 400m Freestyle and Boy’s 200m Backstroke.
Ireland’s Mixed Medley Relay of Ferguson, Niamh Coyne, Ellen Walshe and Robert Powell combined to make the Final of the event in eighth place in 4:08.85 this morning. The quartet went on to smash that time and placing in the Final finishing 4th in a new Irish Record of 4:04.44 behind Russia (3:58.49), Germany (4:02.43) and Slovenia (4:03.03).
Also in Finals action this evening Rebecca Reid of Ards SC progressed from the heats of the 100m Freestyle after she won her heat in a new best time of 59.81 seconds, breaking 1 minute for the first time. Reid went on to better that time placing 14th overall in the semi-finals in 59.66.
Earlier this morning Ellen Walshe continued her good form following a 4th place finish in the 200m Butterfly Final yesterday with a new personal best in the 100m Freestyle clocking 1:00.57. In the 400m Freestyle Jack McMillan touched in 4 minutes 12.89 seconds while Robert Powell swam the 50m Freestyle in 24.80 seconds.
Racing continues tomorrow with 5 Irish swimmers in action.
Day 2 Results Finals:
M 100m Backstroke H Conor Ferguson 56.76 (2nd) SF 56.61 (2nd) F 56.44 (2nd)
W 800m Freestyle HDW Antoinette Neamt 8:47.12 (3rd)
W 100m Freestyle H Rebecca Reid 59.81 (21st) SF 59.66 (14th)
Mixed 400m Medley Relay H Ireland 4:08.85 (9th) F 4:04.44 (4th) Irish Record
Day 2 Results Heats:
M 400m Freestyle Jack McMillan 4:12.89 (30th)
W 100m Freestyle Rebecca Reid 59.81 (21st), Ellen Walshe 1:00.57 (28th)
M 50m Freestyle Robert Powell 24.80 (24th)
Mixed 400m Medley Relay Ireland 4:08.85 (8th)
Day 3 Heats:
W 100m Breaststroke Niamh Coyne, Emma Moloney
W 400m Freestyle Antoinette Neamt
W 200m IM Ellen Walshe, Rebecca Reid
