Golden effort at world comp

Rockingham's Holly Barratt claimed gold and two bronze medals at the World University Games swimming competition in Gwangju, South Korea, last month.

The 27-year-old star of the Rockingham Swimming Club claimed Australia's second gold medal in the pool, winning the 50m backstroke.

Having already bagged bronze in the 50m butterfly in a personal best earlier in the week, Barratt nabbed the gold with a personal best of 28.04 seconds.

Barrett said she wasn't expecting to win with such a quick time.

"It was quite a big personal best and I thought if I do a good race, I might come in second, but the best thing for me was the time," Barratt said.

"To do so many personal bests is great.

"I haven't done so many good times for two years, so it's a really good feeling."

The University of WA student, who is concentrating her efforts on Olympic program events the 100m backstroke and 50m freestyle, also went on to qualify third fastest for tonight's 50m freestyle final.

Barratt continued her run of success on the final night of pool competition at the World University Games, picking up her third individual medal of the meet in the women's 50m freestyle.

Barratt clocked a 25.08 to take third place in the splash and dash final after earlier in the week picking up a gold in the 50m backstroke and bronze in the 50m butterfly.

"To come away with three medals, along with all the personal bests is very exciting," Barratt said.

After some rest and recovery in South Korea, Barratt will return to her home club and have her medals on display for juniors and seniors.