Paul O'Donovan wins gold at World Rowing Championships in Canada

claireporter

Mere weeks after securing the second Olympic gold medal of his career in Paris, Paul O'Donovan was back on top of a podium as the Irishman roared to a brilliant world title in Canada.

The Skibbereen native claimed the gold medal in the men's lightweight single sculls at the 2024 World Rowing Championships in St. Catherine's, just a short hop from Niagara Falls.

O'Donovan's status as one of Ireland's greatest ever sportsmen was solidified in Paris three weeks ago when he picked up a gold medal alongside Fintan McCarthy at his third-straight games.

The 30-year-old had no rest, however, as he immediately jetted across the Atlantic to compete at the event for non-Olympic classes, before powering through his heats and semi-final.

Less than a second separated the entire field when passing the 500m mark, but O'Donovan moved into second place behind his Greek rival Antonios Papakonstantinou prior to the 1500m mark and then, he made his move to the front of proceedings.

From there, it was vintage O'Donovan who put all comers to the sword as he added a seventh global crown to his resume.

O'Donovan won World Championships doubles titles in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023, but Saturday's victory was his third solo glory and bridged a gap all the way back to his 2016 and 2017 world singles titles.

He crossed the line comfortably clear in 6:49.68 with Papakonstantinou 2.22 seconds back in second and Niels Torre of Italy taking bronze.

With Tricolours flying in the stands, O'Donovan did a trademark leap to the top of the podium for the medal presentations and stood proudly as Amhrán na bhFiann rang out.

In the race before O'Donovan's, Galway's Siobhan McCrohan claimed bronze in the women's lightweight single sculls. The 37-year-old was bidding to retain the global crown she claimed in Belgrade last year, but faced a tough battle with Romania's Ionela Livia Cozmiuc, a silver medallist in the doubles in Paris, coming out on top.

McCrohan was in the silver spot coming close to the line but a late charge from Greece's Zoi Fitsiou pushed the Irishwoman back into third.