Rowing superstar blitzes other crews in A final in Rotterdam
BY KIERAN McCARTHY
PAUL O’DONOVAN has won gold in the A final of the men’s lightweight single sculls at the world senior rowing championships in Rotterdam on Saturday morning.
The rowing superstar blitzed the other crews with a sensational performance to win gold in 7:32.84, four seconds ahead of Hungary in second with Slovakia in third.
Paul has now won an Olympic silver medal, European gold and world gold this year – a phenomenal achievement.
Paul, out in lane six, went through the first 500 metres in sixth place (1:54.16) as Peter Galambos from Hungary led the way, but the Skibbereen man made a big move in the second 500 metres and surged into second place at the halfway stage, and he led at the 1500 metre stage.
Paul was in great form all week, winning his heat, quarter-final and semi-final, as he showed little effect from his exertions at the Olympics when he and his older brother Gary won silver medals in the men’s lightweight double sculls at Rio – the first ever Irish rowers to medal at an Olympic Games.
The Lisheen brothers are landing home on Sunday night in Cork Airport before their official homecoming in Skibbereen on Monday night where a crowd of up to 10,000 is expected to welcome home Gary and Paul.
Watch @PaulO_Donovan win gold at the world champs in Rotterdam. Wow. @germccarthy74 @RowingIreland @skibbrowing pic.twitter.com/NUJYYaUfrl
— Kieran McCarthy (@KieranMcC_SS) August 27, 2016
Congratulations pic.twitter.com/twwdH0RYat
— Skeaghanore Duck (@SkeaghanoreDuck) August 27, 2016
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