Mona McSharry impressed on her Paris debut with her second fastest time ever in the 100m Breaststroke to advance to Sunday’s Semi-Final in third place overall.
Out in 30.82 and home in 34.92, the Tokyo finalist in the event clocked 1:05.74, just outside her Irish Record of 1:05.55 from the 2023 World Championships.
McSharry was second in her heat behind China’s Qianting Tang (1:05.63), with South Africa’s Tatijana Smith posting the fastest time of the heats in 1:05.00.
Speaking after the race the 23-year-old said ‘Excited, I think a bit nervous going into that one and I think I swam it a little bit nervous. Happy with the time but I think if I can relax a little bit, I should be able to go faster tonight, but I think it’s good to get the first one out of the way and just try and experience the crowd and everything.’
On crowds of supporters in the La Defense Arena and chanting her name, the Sligowoman said ‘It’s awesome, you know I think that added to the nerves a little bit because so many people travelled out here but it’s great to be able to look up and see so many Irish flags, see so many people that are willing to travel and spend quite a bit of money to come and watch and support me, so it just feels great. I was so in the zone, yesterday I was watching Ellen’s race, and I was like oh my god it’s so loud, I don’t know if I’m going to like that, but when I walked out and you’re in the zone, you don’t really hear it as much. I’m so dialled in I don’t even realise.’
McSharry returns for the 100m Breaststroke Semi-Final at 8.10pm.
Results:
Women 100m Breaststroke Heats Mona McSharry 1:05.74 (3rd)
Sunday 28th July Schedule
8.10pm Swimming Women’s 100m Breaststroke SF, Mona McSharry (SF 2/2)
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