Teenager McMahon shines in Shanghai

Ireland's Sycerika McMahon finished thirteenth overall in the semi-finals of the women's 50m breaststroke tonight at the World long course Swimming Championships in Shanghai, in a time of 31.83.

Although her semi-final time was slower than her heat swim this morning, McMahon has had a hugely successful day - shaving a half a second off the Irish senior record for the 50m breaststroke this morning, making an entrance onto the world stage of senior swimming with style.

McMahon, swimming at her first World Championships, swam tonight among a highly decorated field including the current 50m breaststroke world record holder Jessica Hardy (United States) and 2008 100m breaststroke Olympic gold medal winner Liesel Jones (Australia).

"I was so pleased this morning when I found out that I'd made the semi. It was unreal because I never thought I would make it but I did and I'm just really happy to have participated even though I'm slightly disappointed with how I've swum this evening," remarked McMahon after the race.

"It's really inspired me to keep working, working hard because at the end of the day that's what I want, I want to be here with these girls and maybe in a few years' time be up there at the top too. So I'm just going to go back, work hard and see what happens," she added.

This concludes McMahon's World Championship programme, and brings to an end a busy month of racing for the county Down teenager. In just three weeks, McMahon has achieved a lot; three European Junior medals - two golds (400m freestyle & 50m breaststroke) and one silver (200m freestyle), broken the Irish Junior and senior record for the 50m breaststroke, lowered her own Irish junior 100m breaststroke record and today finished thirteenth in the world in the 50m breaststroke.

McMahon, who is coached by former Olympic coach for Ireland Bobby Madine at Leander swimming club will resume her training after these Championships in preparation for the Commonwealth Youth Games in September, after which she will take a two week break from the water.

Ireland has one swimmer racing in action tomorrow - Grainne Murphy swims in the 400m Individual Medley. Heats commence at 09:00 local time (2:00 Irish time).

Issued by Swim Ireland, whose High Performance Programme is supported and funded by the Irish Sports Council.