Laurence McGivern wins bronze at IPC World Championships
Last updated on .From the section Disability Sport
Laurence McGivern won a bronze medal on the final day of competition at the IPC World Championships in Montreal.
The 20-year-old from Rostrevor set a personal best of 1:04.75 in the 100m backstroke final.
McGivern, who secured his first major medal, was the fourth fastest qualifier going into the final.
"I'm absolutely delighted - I can't believe I've just won a bronze medal and set a huge personal best," said an elated McGivern.
He added: "Going into the race I knew there were things I could improve on but I didn't think it would turn out like that."
McGivern swam 1:06.18 in qualifying, close to his previous best of 1:05.35 which he swam at the Paralympic Games in London in 2012, where he finished eighth.
He came in ahead of Paralympic Games bronze medallist Xiaobing Liu (1:05.52) and Australia's Brenden Hall (1:05.40) in the final.
Another Australian, Matthew Cowdrey, picked up his fifth gold medal of the championships. winning the race in 1:03.23.
Ireland have won a medal on each day of competition in Canada.
McGivern's performance brings the total medal count for the team to eight and includes a gold, three silvers and four bronze, Ireland's largest ever haul at a Paralympic swimming meet.
The three silvers were won by Seaforde teenager Bethany Firth.
